Durban — The DA’s eThekwini caucus leader Thabani Mthethwa says mayor Mxolisi Kaunda has refused to swim at a beach he said was safe for reopening.
He said the DA in the city was not surprised by reports Kaunda had refused to take up the party’s challenge to swim at the uMhlanga Main beach on Friday.
Mthethwa said the DA had extended this invitation to the mayor following his announcement the uMhlanga main beach would be among beaches that would reopen for bathing and inviting tourists to the attraction tomorrow (Thursday), December 1.
“Subsequent to the announcement and not convinced that water quality could improve literally overnight, the DA task team on the sewage crisis conducted oversight inspections to various pump stations and water treatment plants,” Mthethwa said.
“Although there were noted improvements, it would appear that the city is far from eliminating all sewer outflows into rivers and ultimately the ocean hugging its eastern border by November 30,” he said.
Mthethwa said four sewage outflows were found depositing raw effluent into the Ohlange River that flows onto the uMhlanga beaches.
He said it was because of the eight-month ongoing non-functionality of the Ohlange pump station which is blocked by sand, silt, fat and other debris.
Mthethwa also said they found the Northern Wastewater Treatment Works in Sea Cow Lake, commissioned on Sunday, November 27, operating at only 30% functionality,” Mthethwa said.
While treating new flow into the plant, untreated sewage continues to flow into the uMgeni River and into the sea, he said.
“The mayor’s decision vindicates what the DA has been saying all along: The municipality's lacklustre approach to the sewer crisis currently engulfing the city and its beaches is insufficient, poses risk to our bathers and has resulted in zero confidence for tourists to step onto our beaches,” Mthethwa said.
“We repeat the invitation to our city’s first citizen to put his baggies where his mouth was, lead by example and swim at uMhlanga that he declared safe and open more than a week ago!”
On Monday, the eThekwini municipality said it has opened additional beaches and swimming pools.
Municipal spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said the municipality decided to open additional beaches following improvements in water quality.
Mayisela said Country Club, Winklespruit and Anstey's beaches are now open.
“The decision to open beaches was taken after experts conducted water tests which confirmed that beach water quality had improved to an acceptable standard,” he said.
Mayisela said Point, uShaka, Wedge, North, Battery, Bay of Plenty, Pipeline, Toti Main, Warner and Umgababa beaches remain open.
Mayisela informed the public that Addington, Brighton, Reunion, South, Westbrook, uMhlanga and Thekwini beaches are closed until further notice.
“Water quality at Umdloti, Laguna and Bronze beaches is at an acceptable standard but these beaches will remain closed as per directive from the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs.
“The city is constantly monitoring water quality at all beaches to ensure the safety of residents and visitors,” Mayisela said.
He said in addition to beaches, 21 swimming pools are open for residents and visitors to enjoy the warm weather. These pools are Rainham, Durban North, Pipeline paddling, Tiger Rocks, Anstey’s, Westville, Kings Park indoor, Kings Park Outdoor, Stanmore, uMlazi D, L T King, Bayview, Arena Park, Alex Bulley, Lamontville, Lahee Park, Ntuzuma, Sutton Park, South Beach Paddling, Tesoriere and Umgababa.
“The public will be informed in due course about the reopening of additional beaches and of other pools which are currently undergoing maintenance,” Mayisela said.
Daily News