To
Portfolio Committee on Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
From
Patricia Warner
Subject
Environmental and Tourism damage in Winklespruit, Ethekwini
Date
13 August 2022 11:51 a.m.
Dear Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries,
Please use all your political and civil service powers and influence to resolve the unacceptable situation in Winklespruit. The people of Kwazulu-Natal are still in pain after the riots and flooding, so I ask for your help on behalf of hurting people. Please intervene in order to have those responsible for the management of sewage to do their jobs.

Here is a description of what has been happening for many months. There is raw sewage flowing directly into the small lagoon at St Winifred's beach, polluting the sea and the beach. The stench is unbearable.

These are some of the results of the Ethekwini municipality's sloppy and uncaring behaviour.

1. Tourism in the area is in tatters. No one wants to visit a beach to swim in water loaded with bacteria and surrounded by an overwhelming stench.

2. The plunge in tourism means a loss of income for many; from the owners of accommodation, restaurants, to the car guards, fishermen, waiters and the gogo selling baskets and avos.

3. The environment is also severely damaged. The sea and birdlife cannot tolerate large amounts of human waste.

4. Many sangomas and citizens used to collect sea water for health reasons. The levels of e.coli mean that this is now impossible.

I invite you to visit the area with your families and you will understand the true situation.

Please do the right thing for your fellow South Africans, and for our precious sea