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ActionSA calls on the eThekwini Municipality to immediately conduct a new battery of tests and to make public those findings as we believe that new sewage breaks have rendered the E.coli tests conducted on 27 October 2022 outdated. Reliance on an outdated test, for the reopening of beaches, would put residents and holidaymakers at serious risk.

The municipality, this week, reopened several beaches along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline - which have been closed since August - after water results showed that there has been improved water quality in the region. 

This after ActionSA threatened the Municipality with legal action for its failure to give effect to its constitutional responsibilities as the closure of these beaches negatively affected the tourism economy in the region, and therefore threatened jobs and livelihoods. 

ActionSA noted after the eThekwini Municipality’s decision to open beaches, at the popular Battery Beach, in particular, sewage spills occurred after the test results were taken which will likely increase E.coli levels. 

Once a sewage spill occurs, sea currents take the sewage to other beaches in the region which would therefore also potentially deem them unsafe for use. 

Unsafe E.coli levels threaten the health and safety of people using the beaches and may cause severe illness for residents and tourists alike. 

ActionSA is aware that the municipality only tests for E.coli every two weeks, which would make the current test results outdated. Low levels of testing also mean that the municipality would be slow to realise if E.coli levels have increased. 

That is why the party is calling on the municipality to release its testing results as well as the date the tests were completed to ensure that beaches are safe for use. 

Ever since the severe flooding in KwaZulu-Natal, eThekwini Municipality has been battling to maintain and restore sewage pump facilities in the region which has led to the closure of beaches and lives being threatened. 

The problem has been compounded by maladministration by the ANC-led government which has been slow to respond to the issue which threatens the livelihoods of thousands in the region. 

ActionSA has long advocated for the reopening of beaches in the region, and launched a public participation process to directly hear from communities how infrastructure failings have impended their livelihoods. 

While the party wants to see beaches reopen to protect jobs, especially in the run-up to the busy tourism season, we believe it should be done safely and in a manner that doesn’t threaten the health of people using beaches. 

ActionSA will continue to place pressure on the eThekwini Municipality to ensure that the rights and safety of citizens are protected, and ensure that crucial services are delivered. 

Issued by ActionSA KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Chairperson Zwakele Mncwango