By Annisa Essack
07:09:2021

Tourism organisations have expressed concern about the ongoing closure of the Durban North beaches due to the chemical spillage that resulted from a fire that engulfed the UPL warehouse during the unrest.

The spill, which leads to the sea in the uMhlanga area, contaminated the Ohlanga River and uMhlanga Estuary.

Authorities closed the beaches as a precautionary measure as it was unknown how far the contamination had spread, what chemicals had leached into the sea, and what effect it would have on human health.

Chairperson of uMhlanga Tourism, Heather Hunter, said almost 70% of travellers come to the uMhlanga and surrounding areas for the beach experience. The ongoing closure was devastating to the tourism industry and the economy of the region.

The areas affected include Umdloti, Durban North, Shaka’s Rock and oThongathi. Hunter said the spillage and beach closure had crippled an industry already on its knees due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The tourism industry is very resilient, and we do everything that we can, such as making changes and coming up with innovation, to survive. The industry survives regardless of the challenge at hand. Even though the industry won’t die, and it will continue, such incidents do affect us a lot,” said Hunter.

Samples to test the water and sediments to determine the toxicity of the water were taken last week by various authorities, including the UPL specialists. EDTEA met with multiple stakeholders yesterday regarding the opening of beaches.

Hunter said they believed the issue was being dealt with speedily by the KZN Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Department (EDTEA), the company, and the eThekwini Municipality. They remained optimistic that the beaches would be open soon. However, she said they were concerned with the health of residents and tourists. However, they want the beaches to only be opened once all the tests had been completed, and it was safe to walk on the sand, swim, and fish.

EDTEA MEC Ravi Pillay, accompanied by a team of officials from the department, including head of department Nhlakanipho Nkontwana and environmental specialists, met the community at the weekend at the Reddam House in uMhlanga.

The meeting was convened by the UPL Cornubia Fire Civil Society Action Group to discuss the current challenges. Pillay announced that a report had been received on Friday regarding the beach closure and was being considered by authorities.

“A team received a report of the test result regarding the beach water quality. There is an impact on the economy, tourism, and other stakeholders are very anxious about the issue. The team is currently processing the report, and it would be considered on Monday at a formal meeting,” he said.

Pillay said there would also be engagements with the eThekwini Municipality as they were part of the decision-making process. He added that there could be relaxation on the recreational use of the ocean, excluding fishing. Still, he emphasised that no decision had been taken.

“There is some hope for the economic side of things and the tourism sector,” he added.

Meanwhile, the municipality has a chemical clean-up company appointed to clean up the spill and any contamination. Specialised clean-up crews are on-site to deal with the collection and disposal of dead species responsibly.

Authorities are continuously monitoring the area to determine the extent of the impact of the spill. Thus far, there has been a fish kill in the oHlanga estuary and its adjacent beach area, with washing up of dead species up to uMdloti Beach.

The beaches remain closed until further notice.