eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba has confirmed that four of the city’s 23 beaches are temporarily closed due to elevated E.coli levels. He described the decision as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety.

“Our team is attending to some of the water challenges they call E.coli. But with time, I will be announcing that we are back to 21, the magic number. Which therefore means that even at that level two we are paying attention so that when people come here, remember the only thing that they look for in Durban is the vessel facilities and the cost of line. But I must indicate that all the popular beaches are open for swimming,” Xaba said.

In 2023, many of Durban’s beaches faced closures due to pollution and heavy rainfall. Illegal sewer connections to stormwater drains remain a significant issue, contributing to the contamination of rivers and the sea, says Xaba.

He also outlined the city’s readiness for the upcoming festive season, emphasizing efforts to address water quality and maintain key attractions.

Visitors to the Durban beachfront have urged the city to prioritize safety and cleanliness.

One local expressed concerns: “I would want to see security, the beaches that are clean, I want to see that I can walk down the promenade without being attacked. We walk here on a regular basis and the amount of vagrants that are sleeping on the bushes, the amounts of attacks that happen on the beaches nothing gets done about it. If they don’t take control of the alcohol abuse on the Beach Front there is a huge problem.”

A first-time tourist said: “We just want to be safe around because it is my first time here in Durban as a tourist and I really want to feel safe. Also we want to see a clean environment.”

Another local added: “We have a beautiful city and we just want to be safe and we want everyone to be in harmony with each other.”

Holidaymakers flock to Durban beaches despite fluctuating E.coli bacteria levels: