Some holidaymakers say they have concerns about how safe it is to go into the water after numerous beaches in the Durban area were closed because of high E.coli bacteria levels.

The eThekwini Municipality says the E.coli bacteria levels are dropping and more beaches may soon be reopened.

This after swimming was allowed again at Addington and South Beach.

E.coli is a bacteria often found in sewerage and other organic waste.

The municipality closed several beaches due to abnormally murky water that was being discharged from the Umgeni River into the ocean.

Dirt is also still scattered on the sand at Durban’s central beaches after heavy rains.

Umhlanga and Ballito, whose beaches were previously not affected by E.coli, were closed this week.

“It is a great concern because people are looking forward to this time of the year. This is the time for them to enjoy water, so if we can’t go into the water, what is the use of coming to the beach? That’s what everyone comes here for a good swim. So it is a concern,” says one beachgoer.

Desmond D’Sa from the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance explains the closure behind some Durban beaches: