Cape Town – Many South Africans are struggling to deal with the heat this festive season, and some have resorted to braving the sewage-filled waters of Cape Town’s beaches.
The City of Cape Town reported that Boulders, Seaforth, St James, Surfers Corner, Strand, Gordon’s Bay and Melkbos beaches were at full capacity on Tuesday, according to IOL.
Warning signs were installed at Milnerton Lagoon, asking people not to swim in the polluted waters, while certain beaches such as Bakoven, Muizenberg and Fish Hoek had parts closed due to sewage spills caused by load shedding.
Other beaches affected by the spills were Clovelly, Hout Bay, Strand, Big Bay, Blouberg and Long Beach.
Mayoral advisory committee chairperson on water quality in wetlands and waterways, Alex Lansdowne, said the increased sewage spills were another example of how the economy and the country’s international reputation were being damaged by load shedding.
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Cape Town was not the only coastal city to have sewage issues, with beaches in Durban also closing.
Several sewage-fouled beaches in Durban were closed to swimmers for the December holiday season, according to Daily Maverick reported earlier this month.
At the time, eThekwini spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said the city was working to prevent damages.
“Work is currently under way in various areas to repair damages, whereas in other areas the work is completed. Whilst there is significant progress with the repairs, there is still a challenge with others due to the extent of the damages. As such, some of the city’s beaches remain closed due to poor water quality,” said Mayisela.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
