Complaints about the poor state of beach toilets continue to rise, frustrating North Coast residents and visitors alike.

While the KwaDukuza municipality (KDM) insists that maintenance is ongoing, many remain unconvinced.

“During the festive season, we experienced maintenance issues and vandalism at some facilities, but these are being resolved,” said KDM spokesperson Sifiso Zulu, adding that Willard Beach was among the worst affected.

Visitors, however, express dissatisfaction. “I’d rather go home than use those bathrooms,” said Natasha Engelbrecht on the Courier’s Facebook page.

Busi Mpaza, a visitor to Tinley Manor Beach, echoed the sentiment. “It’s a nightmare. I wouldn’t dare use them,” she said.

We visited Salt Rock, Willard, Clarke Bay, and Tinley Manor beaches twice last week during peak hours, revealing unhygienic conditions, including broken fixtures, exposed water tanks, and a pervasive stench.

At Salt Rock Beach, some visitors were using the turret on the tidal pool as an open toilet, adding to the area’s odor problem.

Zulu said facilities are cleaned daily and staffed with dedicated maintenance teams.

“A structured maintenance plan is in place, and ablution blocks are stocked with essentials daily,” he said. However, he acknowledged that the festive season brought unprecedented challenges.

“This year saw record visitor numbers, leading to overcrowding and delays in repairs, as immediate fixes would have required closing the facilities,” said Zulu.

While North Coast beaches are renowned for their beauty, subpar toilet facilities remain a blemish on the visitor experience.

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