Fish Hoek sand artist Lanele Xaba, also known as John English, has faced another confrontation with authorities while creating sculptures on the beach.
The 26-year-old is known for building detailed sand artworks using a bucket, spade and plastic teaspoon.
According to The South African, tensions rose on 17 July when a front-end loader arrived near his work.
Local Community Policing Forum member Glenn Holland said an argument broke out between Xaba, the driver and another representative.
The confrontation reportedly escalated when Xaba and the driver began filming each other on their phones.
Questions raised over permits
Holland attempted to mediate at the beach manager’s office.
He said the dispute appeared to centre on the type of permit Xaba needed to work on the beach.
Xaba believed he required a busking permit. However, that permit requires performers to move every 45 minutes, which is not practical for large sand sculptures.
Holland said an events permit had been suggested, but he considered that excessive. He also said Xaba did not fit into the hawker category.
The discussion reportedly ended with authorities agreeing to be more flexible if Xaba adopted a less confrontational approach.
Earlier arrest led to detention
Xaba said he was arrested during the final weekend of June after police told him he was not compliant and was causing sand to blow around.
He said he tried to explain that he uses water to harden his sculptures.
At the Fish Hoek police station, officers discovered an outstanding arrest warrant linked to an intimidation case opened in Strand in 2022.
Xaba was taken to court and released the following Monday.
He said he then had to make his own way home from the Stellenbosch Magistrate’s Court.
Police explain arrest
Fish Hoek police spokesperson Warrant Officer Peter Middleton said a beachgoer had opened a crimen injuria case against Xaba on the day of his arrest.
Middleton said officers also found the outstanding warrant, possibly linked to a missed court appearance.
The front-end loader’s work is not directly linked to Xaba. It forms part of a longer-term project to level the beach and reduce windblown sand reaching the parking area.
Xaba said his aim remains to bring joy to visitors and inspire young people.
“That is all I want, to make people happy and encourage the youth that you can make something out of nothing,” he said.