Durban beaches closed as big clean-up begins

Clean-up operations along Durban’s beachfront continued yesterday as authorities determine the extent of the damage caused by massive waves that battered the promenade on Sunday.

The eThekwini municipality began work at 6am on Monday, paying particular attention to the areas outside the restaurants that make up the commercial zone along the beach promenade.

Acting MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs Bongi Sithole-Moloi, togeth- er with eThekwini chairperson of the community services committee, Zama Sokhabase, led the disaster teams in assessing the damage.

Sithole-Moloi, urging the public to stay away from the beaches that would remain closed, said: “The rough seas have caused damage largely to some of the infrastructure along eThekwini’s coastline. We have taken stock of the damage and deployed additional teams to speedily restore the situation back to normality.

“We are grateful the worst is over ... we will continue to monitor the situation.

“The costs of the damage will be calculated as soon as assessments have been completed. Some sections of piers and promenade remain closed to the public due to unsafe conditions.

“All Durban beaches, including Battery Beach, Country Club Beach and eThekwini Beach, will remain inaccessible to beachgoers until the rising spring tide completely subsides.”

Sokhabase said: “Officials from the Durban solid waste and parks department are working along all affected beaches, cleaning up debris, litter and large volumes of sand that has been washed up on the promenade and car park area.

“We are appealing to beachgoers to heed the warnings of lifeguards and refrain from swimming until the beaches have been reopened.”

A 24-hour patrol has been put in place in the interests of safety. – Caxton News Service