Uvongo Beach and Lagoon are temporarily closed due to high E. coli levels, prompting public outcry and concerns for visitor safety. | Khaya Ngwenya/ Independent Newsapers
Durban — Some netizens have suggested that people have fallen sick from swimming on some KwaZulu-Natal South Coast beaches. This is after, in a Facebook post, the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality issued a public notice about the temporary closure of Uvongo Beach and Lagoon.
“The Ray Nkonyeni Municipality wishes to inform the public that swimming and other recreational activities at Uvongo Beach and Lagoon are currently prohibited due to high levels of E. coli detected in the water,” the municipality said.
The municipality apologised for the inconvenience this may cause and assured residents and visitors that updates would be provided as new developments arise.
“Your safety remains our top priority,” the municipality added.
This is how Facebook users reacted to the municipality’s public notice:
Nikita Kotzé said: “Your notice is late, people fell ill last week Tuesday already from swimming in the sea. You are chasing away the holiday visitors and the community cannot raise awareness alone.”
“Please can you make notice boards for no swimming and reason for no swimming in the lagoons at all the beaches that have lagoons? Not just a swimming not allowed sign. There needs to be a reason... Visitors don't know like the locals do.”
Kotzé said gingerbread coloured sea at the beaches should be avoided.
“But luckily we (are) blessed with many other beaches that all came back with great water test results.”
Lorraine Henning said Margate Beach is also not good.
Henning said her family swam there two days ago and experienced vomiting and had diarrhoea.
“Nice timing from the municipality to tell everybody no swimming, good for business,” Henning said.
Barto Pienaar said: “After how many people got sick?”
Pienaar said Uvongo Beach should be closed permanently to ensure people’s safety.
Chantelle Antoanette McSeveney said that every year it is the same story and then makes it look like it is a surprise and it is the first time.
“There is no infrastructure and this is not only a December thing, it’s a whole year-round thing for 4+ years straight,” McSeveney said.
“How many people need to end up in hospital because sewerage can’t be managed?”
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