‘Durban’s toilet’: Outrage over ‘poop-infested’ Umhlanga beach [video]

A clip of a polluted, faeces-ridden Umhlanga beach has left South Africans – particularly Durban residents – disgusted and angry.

In recent years, the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) coastline waters have been contaminated by sewage leaks, leading to health hazards, including the spread of E. coli.

Over the festive season, many KZN visitors have complained about falling ill from dirty, bacteria-infested waters.

DURBAN’S FILTHY UMHLANGA BEACH HAS RESIDENTS UPSET

In a TikTok video, popular Durban YouTuber duo Shaun and Brody posted a clip of the status of Umhlanga’s beach this week.

Shaun vlogged a walk through the popular tourist destination, which was littered with pollution and what he believes was human faeces.

With the words “Umhlanga: Durban’s toilet” emblazoned across the video, Shaun asked: “What is happening here? Look at that – poop! It’s so disappointing.”

@shaunandbrody uMhlanga’s beaches are in crisis. Water quality is worsening, with E. coli contamination making swimming unsafe. The municipality seems to be ignoring the issue, leaving these once-beautiful beaches in a shocking state. #ecoli #umhlanga #durban ♬ original sound – Adventures With Shaun & Brody

The local resident also expressed his concern that the water quality was being contaminated. This posed a health and safety risk to anyone who came into contact with it.

In the comment section, social media users revealed that they had experienced similar conditions on other central beaches, including along the South Coast.

FAECES WASH UP ON SHORE?

Meanwhile, the eThekwini Municipality has banned swimming and recreational activities at Umhlanga Beach after sand-coated, golf-sized “beach balls” – believed to be foul-smelling faeces mixed with pollution and fats – washed up on shore.

Similarly, fishers and canoeists have been prohibited from using Durban’s Blue Lagoon due to severe sewage pollution near the mouth of the Umgeni River.

According to the Durban City officials, the Water and Sanitation Unit, as well as the Scientific Services, will conduct an analysis of the samples of the balls to determine their nature.

The results of a lab test will be made public.

The public are warned not to touch the “beach balls”.

HAVE YOU RECENTLY VISITED A DURBAN BEACH? SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE…

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