A totally deserted Durban beach front is seen with no humans on it on day 43 of the national lockdown as a result of Covid-19 Coronavirus, Johannesburg, South Africa, 09 May 2020. The country is at level 4 of the national lockdown in its 43 day after it was implemented on 30 April 2020. The beach front has been totally closed to the public other than in the 3 hours of exercise time from 6-9am in the morning. Picture: EPA-EFE/KIM LUDBROOK
While Deputy President David Mabuza is tending to sewage problems in the Vaal, raw sewage is once again spilling into Durban Harbour, Wilson’s Wharf, Durban’s Golden Mile and Umhlanga beaches.
The news of raw sewage spillage on the city’s main beaches comes after a sewage spill led to the closure of Battery Beach earlier this month.
Durban North beaches have been closed since July due to a chemical spill from the United Phosphorus Limited (UPL) Chemical Plant in Cornubia.
The sewage problem seeping into the sea will undoubtedly affect Durban’s Blue Flag status if e-coli levels surpass standards safe for human exposure.
“The sewage crisis that is compromising the status of our most prized tourist attractions. These regular unchecked sewage spills have manifold economic, environmental, social and health impacts,” said DA Portfolio Committee on Tourism member Hannah Shameema Winkler.
At this point, the City can ill afford a sewage crisis at the beaches ahead of the festive season. After the July riots and Covid-19 restrictions, the province desperately needs additional local and international tourism revenue.
“Businesses in the area will likely experience the knock-on effects of decreased clientele, severely impacting local tourism economies that are already under financial strain due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Winkler.
There are fears that Umhlanga beaches’ water quality is also deteriorating, which will impact tourist visits to the area.
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“Durban Harbour and Wilson’s Wharf are prime examples of how unchecked environmental pollution has had an impact on local business and tourism numbers,” said Winkler.
Businesses on the Wilson’s Wharf strip have complained of a severe sewage stench spilling into the harbour, leading patrons to leave the area.
“The harbour is a pale shadow of its former glory. The local fisherfolk have also expressed concern over the impact of pollution on marine life in the harbour and their ability to continue to feed themselves and their families,” added Winkler.
The party is now driving a parliamentary petition calling for:
The DA also wants Minister of Tourism, Lindiwe Sisulu, to urgently conduct an oversight visit to affected tourism hotspots in Durban.
“We have to initiate a plan to save our local tourism economy from disaster. We are serious about saving livelihoods and preserving our environmental spaces for the enjoyment of present and future generations,” concluded Winkler.
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