The KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board has decided to close all beaches between Isipingo and Umgababa due to poor water quality after the recent rains.

In a statement from the board that was released to the public by Ward 97 councillor André Beetge, the decision was made to ban swimming was made earlier today.

“We are going to ban bathing with all the muddy water around. From our early morning observation, even Amanzimtoti Main Beach is dirty and it’s heading towards Pipeline Beach, so it’s best we close from Isipingo to Umgababa,” reads the statement.

Beetge says the waters will be checked again tomorrow morning to see if there is any improvement.

Only the Amanzimtoti Main and Pipeline beaches were previously open for bathing after all other ones were closed as a result of high E. coli contamination.