Overview
- Battery, eThekwini and Country Club beaches have reopened following new water-quality tests, while Blue Lagoon (Laguna) remains closed pending results.
- The four central beaches were initially shut after high E. coli readings were recorded in the city's beach water quality report.
- City officials linked the episode to debris from the uMngeni/Umgeni River catchment, prompting precautionary closures and intensified sampling.
- The Pietermaritzburg High Court has ordered eThekwini to repair sewer infrastructure and publish weekly E. coli data, adding oversight to current remediation efforts.
- The municipality says 22 bathing beaches are open and actively monitored by lifeguards, Metro Police and SAPS during the festive period.