The eThekwini Municipality has refuted claims that it is unprepared for the festive season and has fewer than required lifeguards on Durban beaches during the busy period.

The municipality has come under fire from ActionSA, the Democratic Alliance (DA), and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). 

The parties accused the city of not having enough lifeguards to cope with the huge crowds on city beaches, adding that the municipality should shoulder the blame for the deaths of the beachgoers.

ActionSA chairperson Zwakele Mncwango said the city had been ill-prepared for the scores of people who flocked to the beach at the weekend.

"Had they been, there would have been more than enough lifeguards," he said.

He said that had the city prioritised fixing the sewer infrastructure that had caused sewage spillages resulting in high E. coli levels at some beaches, crowds would not have gathered at this particular beach.

"This would have drastically decreased overcrowding, making beaches easier to manage and possibly avoiding such tragedies," said Mncwango.

According to eNCA, ActionSA is calling for Durban beaches to be closed. 

35 lifeguards and paramedics had to rescue more than 100 people

Municipal spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said 35 lifeguards and paramedics had to rescue more than 100 people.

The EFF's Mongezi Twala said the drownings could have been prevented had the city not prematurely reopened the beaches after the recent water contamination. 

"The public would not have relied on the few beaches to bathe," said Twala. The EFF also called for the eThekwini municipality to foot the bill for the burial of the victims and pay the medical bills for those injured in the tragedy.

"This will ensure that they are given the best medical care." 

TimesLive quoted DA councillor Nicole Bollman as saying that the city hired only 32 seasonal lifeguards out of a total demand of 160.

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"The reality is that Durban was never prepared for the influx of visitors, which has resulted in not only overcrowded beaches but also an inability to provide a safe and secure environment for beachgoers."

"If the municipality had addressed the shortfall of lifeguards and given them proper resources, this tragedy may have been avoided or managed better," said Bollman.

The municipality's spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said the drownings were tragic and opposition political parties should refrain from using this incident for their gain.

"It is misleading to say that we are not ready. This is not our first time hosting the festive season in Durban. We have a festive season management plan which comprises a lot of departments," said Mayisela.

He maintained that the city has adequate lifeguards who have been preparing for the holiday season and other busy periods throughout the year.

According to IOL, the chairperson of Lifesaving KZN, Troy Brown, said: "There has to be nine to 15 lifeguards on duty, but it also depends on the number of people swimming. At the time of the incident, there were nine lifeguards on duty. 

"It is extremely important that the general public listen to lifeguards at all times," added Brown.

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