While the eThekwini Municipality has made significant progress in restoring infrastructure damaged during the recurring flood disasters since April 2022, the dumping of foreign objects and infrastructure vandalism and theft remains a massive thorn in the City's side, often leading to the closure of beaches as result of high E.coli levels.
This week, the Democratic Alliance DA sounded the alarm over the closure of six beaches as a result of high E.coli levels.
DA spokesperson for Tourism, Haseena Ismail said the latest closures of Battery Beach, Country Club Beach, eThekwini Beach, Laguna Beach, Ansteys Beach and Reunion Beach due to the presence of high levels of E. coli has severe consequences for sustainable tourism in the region.
'The closure of beaches over the past three years, due to high E.coli levels, has already taken a significant toll on the tourism industry. The economic effects are far-reaching, affecting local businesses, accommodations, and activities that rely on tourism, with the entire water sport, yachting and sailing tourism sectors equally affected by these sewer spills,' she added.
Ismail said at the root of the problem is the City's broken sewer system that releases untreated waste water into the ocean. She said water-borne pollution poses significant health risks to tourists, residents, and employees, including lifeguards.
