City lifts the ban on Durban North beaches
Following a preliminary investigation, the municipality has re-opened the four beaches affected by the medical waste crisis.
OFFICIALS have re-opened the four Durban North beaches following the closure after the discovery of medical waste along the shoreline.
The eThekwini Municipality closed the Umgeni/Mangrove, Beachwood, Virginia and Glenashley beaches on Wednesday as it was feared that the waste could pose a health hazard to beach-goers.
According to a statement issued by eThekwini Municipality’s head of the communications unit, Tozi Mthethwa, an investigation conducted by the national and provincial Departments of Environmental Affairs and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife revealed that only a fraction of the waste found on the beaches was ‘pharmaceutical in nature’.
“The majority of the debris found consists of general waste and driftwood. It is highly likely that all this waste originated from various sources along the catchment and washed into the sea from the Umgeni River following the recent heavy rains in Durban,” said Mthethwa.
As a result, the city has lifted the ban from the four beaches. However, officials have urged the public to exercise caution while using the facilities.
Durban North ward councillor, Shaun Ryley, said yesterday that he was disappointed in the city’s efforts to deal with the crisis.
“There were no signs placed at any of the beaches to warn the public of the health risks, and I only saw clean-up crews attending to the situation at Beachwood on Thursday,” he said.
When the Northglen News visited the Beachwood beach on Wednesday, hundreds of medicine bottles and condoms were scattered along the beach. A test tube was also spotted among the debris.
“Clean-up operations are ongoing,” said Mthethwa. “The municipality and other stakeholders are working extended hours to ensure that the waste is collected and disposed of speedily and efficiently.”
