The MK Party has issued a scathing media statement condemning the eThekwini Municipality for ongoing sewage failures that have led to widespread beach closures in Durban. Elevated E. coli levels and infrastructure collapse are at the heart of the crisis, with the MK Party calling it a “public health crime” and demanding immediate national intervention.

Beaches Closed Over Sewage Contamination

The following beaches were closed due to dangerously high pollution levels and sewage-related contamination:

• Blue Lagoon
• Battery Beach
• Country Club Beach
• eThekwini Beach

These closures follow water quality tests confirming sewage spills linked to failing infrastructure. The result is an increased risk of gastrointestinal illness, skin infections, and waterborne diseases.

MK Party Demands Urgent Action

The MK Party’s official demands include:

• National intervention by the Minister of Water and Sanitation
• Independent oversight of water testing
• Stabilisation of collapsing wastewater infrastructure
• Criminal charges against the Mayor and City Manager
• Complaint to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC)

“This is no longer an ‘unfortunate incident’—it is a governance failure causing serious harm to public health, tourism, and livelihoods,” said the MK Parliamentary Caucus.

Impact on Public Health and Rights

The MK Party says repeated beach sewage contamination violates constitutional rights to dignity, health, and basic services. Working-class communities, beach workers, children, and informal traders are most affected. The statement accuses city leadership of “incompetence, neglect, and political paralysis.”