Most beaches remain closed

RECENTLY released updates from eThekwini Municipality show most South Coast beaches remain closed due to sewage contamination. Only Pipeline, Amanzimtoti Main and Umgababa are open to water activities.

From Doonside to Karridene, all beaches remain closed as they have a high E. coli reading.

eThekwini Municipality has said they are working hard to ensure that all beaches are open to the public, and they will keep publishing updates as the status changes.

“You can still enjoy other recreational activities at closed beaches. You just can’t swim. Please keep our beach areas clean by using bins for litter,” read a statement from eThekwini.

ALSO READ: Some South Coast beaches close yet again

Doreen Kuhn from Winklespruit said it was laughable that the municipality could encourage people to go to infected beaches to stand there and inhale smelly air.

“In my own house, I have to keep the windows closed at all times because of the smell. Just imagine the poor people who go down to the beach to smell raw sewage. So many people keep getting sick with chest ailments they have never had before, yet the municipality keeps denying that the infected air is making people sick,” said Doreen.

Winklespruit Beach looks deserted except for people sitting in their cars and admiring the waves from a safe distance. A noticeboard near the guardhouse simply displays ‘no swimming’, but according to Doreen, the sickly smell alone could drive anyone away.

eThekwini has encouraged people to use municipal swimming pools instead.

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