Beach openings labelled as incorrect and premature
Pipeline and Warner beach remain closed following the latest test results.
COUNCILLOR André Beetge of the Democratic Alliance, and member of eThekwini Municipality executive committee, said the announcement of beach openings on December 25 was incorrect and premature.
Beetge said on Christmas Day the eThekwini municipality released an urgent communication declaring Umhlanga Main and Umhlanga Bronze beaches open for bathing with immediate effect.
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He said the communication indicated that it based this decision on results from the latest rounds of water testing and continued by including Point, Ushaka, Addington, South, Wedge, North, Bay of Plenty, Battery, Country Club, Brighton, Reunion, Pipeline, Toti Main and Warner beaches as safe for bathing and recreation.
“It assured the public of continued water quality monitoring in the interest of residents and visitors to its shores. The news was picked up by local radio stations that assisted in spreading the ‘good news’ to eager and excited listeners,” said Beetge.
He said however, and having had insight into the latest results for the south in particular, the announced opening of Pipeline and Warner beach were questioned yesterday, December 27.
“First challenged by Deputy City Manager, Dr Musa Gumede, the facts however soon unfolded with the city confirming the statement erroneous with both Pipeline and Warner beach remaining closed pending further and hopefully favourable test results,” said Beetge.
He said this inevitably brought the health risk of everyone who took to the water on Christmas Day into question.
Beetge said, “The public has the right to the truth, not hastily concocted feel-good and politically-motivated announcements. It is time that Mayor Councillor, Thomas Kaunda and City Manager, Mr Musa Mbhele put political games aside, openly and continuously publish water test results on municipal and public platforms and immediately confirm which beaches are really suitable for bathing before the New Year’s weekend.”
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