The Democratic Alliance (DA) is planning to launch legal action against the eThekwini Municipality – accusing it of misleading the nation about the safety of some of its beaches during the last festive season. 

The opposition party believes that eThekwini beaches were prematurely opened following a long battle with high E. coli levels – which was exacerbated by floods during the first half of 2022. 

E. coli, a bacteria characterised by sewage and animal waste contamination, can cause diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea, headaches and vomiting.

The DA's eThekwini caucus leader Thabani Mthethwa told News24 that the party had conducted research which, he claimed, proved that some of the beaches that were reopened to swimmers were unsafe. 

"While the city opened most of its beaches during the December holidays, it failed to host its annual lifeguard endurance event due to poor water quality caused by high E. coli levels. The race was rescheduled to take place in January, but was again postponed for the same reason," Mthethwa claimed.

According to Mthethwa, a senior official at the City's Parks and Recreation Department also admitted at a meeting last week that the water quality levels at some of the beaches that were opened to the public were not at acceptable levels. 

In a separate legal action against the City by ActionSA, court papers filed by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) accused the municipality of failing to comply with environmental legislation and causing pollution to residential homes. 

Mthethwa told News24 that the DA wanted the courts to make the City "admit that it misled citizens and force it to comply with environmental legislation".

The eThekwini Municipality, however, has denied any wrongdoing. 

Mayoral spokesperson Mluleki Mntungwa told News24 that Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda was "certain of his decision when he declared the reopening of the City's beaches in December". 

"The mayor has never been irresponsible. The beaches that were declared safe had undergone thorough testing. If they (the DA) go ahead with their court action, we'll be prepared to answer," Mntungwa said.