BUSINESSES along Amanzimtoti’s main beach said they have to deal with the constant flooding of raw sewage and believe this will have a negative impact on their earnings as summertime is fast approaching.
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When the SUN visited the area recently, there were pools of stagnant sewage next to the restaurants and the beach itself. Business owner, Tim Theunessen said the matter was first reported in April, but nothing has been done. He noted that a new reference number is issued by the municipality each time a new report is made.
“This is now becoming a common, almost daily, phenomenon. It is a health hazard and damaging the environment and impacting hugely on tourism and local businesses. Holiday makers have to walk through faeces to get to Toti Main Beach. This beach is our flagship to tourism in the area. Businesses and restaurants on the beachfront are being severely compromised,” said Theunessen.
According to ward the 97 councillor, André Beetge, the blockage was a result of vandalism.
“They steal cables, which leads to pumps not being able to function and have to be rewired. When the wires have been stolen, the sensors don’t work, which means the pump doesn’t automatically start when the sewage reaches a certain level, leading to overflowing. What is fixed today gets stolen the following day,” said Beetge.
He added that loadshedding also made it convenient for thieves as they could strip the wires without any fear of being electrocuted.
The Amanzimtoti Country Club and Conservancy premises were also recently flooded with sewage after the nearby pump station was stripped of its copper cables.
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