Public Representatives from the DA, across all spheres of government have called on the eThekwini Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, as first citizen of the city, to join them on the 2nd of December 2022 at 12pm for a much needed, long-awaited dip in the Indian Ocean.
The invitation to join the DA at the uMhlanga Main beach follows a media briefing held on the uMhlanga Promenade yesterday where the mayor expressed his satisfaction that because the Ohlange Pump Station had been commissioned beaches would be open on the 1 December and ready to receive visitors.
Oversight visits to various ‘hot-spots’ along the Ohlange River this morning proved, once again that there was a consistent flow of raw sewage flowing into the river as has been the case since post the April floods, completely by-passing the newly commissioned pump station a mere 250m up river, due to alleged blockages in the system, resulting in zero flow into the pump station.
Although the DA fully supports the tourism industry who have been hard hit by the various ‘on again’ ‘off again’ approaches by the city, our concern is that failure to consider the resolution and repair of the sewer reticulation system in its entirety from source to the waste water treatment plant in Phoenix will result in an ecological and health catastrophe to the unassuming bather coming to our shores for the festive season placing both our them and Professional Lifeguards at risk.
That the Mayor is as confident as he is, we welcome him to take the plunge and go for a swim.
We are right behind you Mr. Mayor!