After several years of capturing, broadcasting and witnessing the pollution disaster at Cuttings Beach, it is sadly still an ongoing problem for the residents and the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) who are campaigning against the polluters.
Lately, a video has made its rounds on social media showing the heavily-polluted beach with brown sea water, which has caused outrage among the local fisherfolk who were still recovering from last month’s pollution crisis. According to People’s Freedom Party (PFP) Ward 68 Councillor, Yusif Vawda, it is believed that the Southern Waste Water Treatment Works situated in Wentworth, Bluff, is responsible for this havoc.
Cllr Vawda said: “We are trying to assist and fix this situation because over the years complaints have become meaningless because nothing is being done. We are tired of complaining and the matter has been escalated to the authorities.” Cllr Vawda went on to say that this is an environmental crisis which is causing harm to both the sea life and residents being exposed to the pollution. “It is alleged that the sea is contaminated with faeces causing the air in the area to have a strong stench. It is so severe and is becoming unbearable. How can we live and drive to and from our roads like this everyday?” added Vawda.
SDCEA committee member, Tony Kisten, said it is alleged that the sewage is coming out from the canal. “We have taken samples to find out where it is coming from.” Kisten said the situation is becoming hazardous to residents and asked for the community in the area not to use the beach. “We urge residents and anglers to not use the beach as the water is contaminated. The ongoing pollution disaster at the beach is deadly, causing harm to sea creatures and fish. The beach is so unhygienic that people can’t even go for leisure and anglers can’t fish,” added Kisten.
Although the beach had slightly cleared up by Thursday, it was still a cause for
concern for anglers. Local fisherman, Aaron Padayachee, said his favourite fishing spot has been marred by foul chemical smells. “It gets really bad when the wind picks up and it is almost difficult to breathe in the air. Apart from the strong smell, we have seen an increase in pollution where we see plastic bottles, trash and other garbage flowing from the canals. This is a health hazard not just to us as humans but to the wild life and the ocean life.”
His concerns were shared by fellow fisherman, Jaz Singh, who said that the ongoing pollution is affecting his livelihood. “Fishing is a career for me, this is how I feed my family. So when the beach is polluted like this all the time, it becomes difficult for us fisherfolk.” Following this latest bout of pollution, the SDCEA asked both residents and anglers to air on the side of caution when it comes to swimming or fishing at the popular beach.
