Durban Harbour oil spill cause unknown

The oil slick, which entered the harbour from the Amanzimnyama canal on Friday, coated the water, boats, wildlife and shoreline. It is unclear what the cost is to the wildlife, but birds and fish were seen covered in the sludge, sister paper Southlands Sun reported.

TNPA officials had responded to the scene and are investigating the cause of the spill.

Desmond D’Sa, coordinator of the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), said eThekwini Municipality health officials were also investigating.

“We urge officials to continue their efforts until the origins of the oil leak are identified. We are concerned that a previous leak that affected the yachts and marine life in the Durban Harbour did not yield the desired sanctions. The officials must get to the bottom of these continuous illegal activities that are destroying our waters and life,” said D’Sa.

The cleanup, which began on Friday, was completed by an external service provider contracted by the TNPA on Saturday.

This after a suspected oil slick of about 50m width was being carefully monitored off Amanzimtoti’s main beach by tourism and environmental bodies in KwaZulu-Natal earlier this month.

A full report on the suspected oil slick is being compiled for the benefit of the department of environmental affairs. Investigations are ongoing.

– Caxton News Service