E. coli levels force another closure of Umhlanga beaches
The beaches were recently closed after a pump station problem resulted in high E.coli levels in the water.
Umhlanga's Main and Bronze beaches have been closed once again.
The beaches were recently closed after a pump station problem resulted in high E.coli levels in the water.
They were re-opened four days ago.
eThekwini Municipality's Lindiwe Khuzwayo says after this week's storms, the latest water quality tests show the water's contaminated again.
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"This is common after heavy rains. In the interest of public safety, we have decided to keep the beaches closed while we conduct more tests. In the meantime, our residents and visitors in the north can enjoy Westbrook Beach.
"All our central beaches remain open, as well as Brighton Beach, Winklespruit and Pipeline in the south."
Alan Beesly, who is from Action SA, says the city keeps blaming external factors for the state of the beaches.
"The rivers are full of sewage, and that is because the sewage infrastructure is collapsing and being carried down in the rivers; that is our big concern - the whole sewage infrastructure.
"They must stop blaming external things and start looking internally and saying where the problem actually lies. You can't blame floods. You have to blame the real problem and that incompetence and corruption that is happening in the municipality at this stage."
He also believes there is a lack of transparency from the city.
"People only get told that the beach is closed when they get to the beach; people should be forewarned. They are very quick to say beaches are open, but they are very slow to say beaches are closed. They need to be honest and publish the information before tourists get here and find out that the beaches are closed."