East London security guard assault suspects released on warning

Key Points

• Two suspects accused of assaulting a security guard at eBuhlanti Marina Glen in East London, Eastern Cape, have been released on warning.
• The incident was caught on camera and widely circulated on social media.
• The suspects face charges of common assault and will appear in East London Magistrate’s Court on 7 January 2026.
• Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana confirmed the arrest and release.
• The altercation reportedly began after the guard confronted the individuals over improper parking.
• Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Thandiswa Kupiso commended swift police action.
• The investigation remains ongoing, with the possibility of further arrests.
• Police have withheld details of the suspects’ identities and bail terms.

Two men who were filmed assaulting a security guard at the popular eBuhlanti Marina Glen in East London have been released on warning, just days after their arrest. Provincial authorities confirmed the men will face charges of common assault when they appear in the East London Magistrate’s Court next week.

According to a report by Sinenhlanhla Masilela of IOL News on 2 January 2026, the incident occurred at the beachfront on New Year’s Day and quickly went viral after footage of the attack circulated widely across social media platforms such as Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).

What happened at eBuhlanti Marina Glen?

As detailed by Masilela (IOL News), the altercation unfolded after a security guard confronted a group of individuals allegedly parked incorrectly on a section of the beachfront road near the marina. Eyewitnesses and social media users who shared the video online stated that the confrontation escalated when the guard asked the group to move their car out of the restricted area.

In the video — which has since been viewed thousands of times — two men can be seen assaulting the uniformed guard, who appears to have been struck repeatedly before falling to the ground. The footage prompted widespread condemnation online, with community members calling for swift police intervention.

How did the police respond to the viral assault video?

Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana, speaking to IOL News, confirmed that the suspects were “swiftly arrested” following the circulation of the video. She said,

“They were processed and released on warning on January 1, 2026. They are scheduled to appear in the East London Magistrate’s Court on January 7, 2026.”

Brigadier Gantana further added that the suspects are facing charges of common assault under South African law.

“The investigation remains active, with further arrests likely. No additional information can be released at this stage,”

she said, maintaining that police were committed to ensuring justice is served.

According to the same report by IOL, authorities acted swiftly to identify and detain those involved after analysing the viral footage and gathering witness accounts from the beachfront area.

Why were the suspects released on warning?

Police sources told IOL News that the men were released on warning pending their court appearance, as the charge levelled against them — common assault — does not typically warrant immediate detention if the suspects cooperate with ongoing investigations.

A release on warning means that the individuals remain obligated to appear in court on a scheduled date without posting bail. Failing to do so would constitute a breach of their legal conditions, which could result in re-arrest.

Legal expert Advocate Mphumzi Ntloko, speaking to Daily Dispatch East London (coverage corroborated 2 January 2026), remarked that

“such decisions are standard in common assault cases, especially when the suspects pose no immediate threat or risk of absconding.”

What statements have officials made about the incident?

Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Thandiswa Kupiso, quoted by IOL News, publicly commended the prompt response by law enforcement officers who managed to identify and apprehend the suspects within hours of the assault being reported.

“Swift police work such as this reinforces public confidence in our justice system,”

Major General Kupiso said.

“Our officers responded efficiently, thanks in part to the clarity of the footage shared on social platforms.”

Kupiso further called on the public to exercise restraint when conflicts arise in public areas, emphasising that no provocation justifies violence.

“We condemn any form of violence, especially directed at service staff and security personnel who ensure community safety,”

she added.

How have local residents and social media reacted?

The video has triggered a wave of public outrage online, with many users expressing solidarity with the assaulted guard and demanding harsher penalties. Under posts shared on community pages such as East London Updates and Eastern Cape Daily Feed, residents criticised what they described as “growing incidents of public disrespect towards service officers.”

Local resident Nosipho Madikizela, interviewed by Daily Dispatch, said,

“It’s become far too common for people to mistreat security guards or parking attendants. That man was only doing his job, and these men humiliated him in front of everyone.”

The incident has also prompted security unions in the Eastern Cape to reiterate their demand for better protection, training, and legal safeguards for private guards employed at public recreational sites.

What is the status of the investigation?

Brigadier Gantana told IOL News that the investigation remains open and that detectives are reviewing all available footage and witness testimony. “The investigation remains active, with further arrests likely,” she said, confirming that other individuals present during the incident might still be questioned.

Police have not disclosed the identities of the suspects to protect the integrity of the case.

“For legal and procedural reasons, no names can be released until formal charges are processed in court,”

Gantana clarified.

What happens next in court?

The two men are expected to appear before the East London Magistrate’s Court on 7 January 2026. There, prosecutors will decide whether to proceed with a summary trial or seek additional evidence before setting a formal trial date.

Legal observers note that the case may set a precedent for how South African courts handle offences involving violence against security personnel performing public duties.

If found guilty, the suspects could face penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment, as outlined in the Criminal Procedure Act governing common assault offences.