LABORATORY results released by the eThekwini Municipality’s scientific services of samples taken from the mystery balls found along uMhlanga’s shoreline are fats, likely ‘originating from food establishments’.

Two of uMhlanga’s swimming beaches, Main and Bronze beach, were closed as a precautionary measure on Tuesday following the discovery of hundreds of the mystery balls dotting the shoreline.

As a result of the findings, the City will reopen both beaches on Thursday morning.

Related story: uMhlanga beaches remain closed as city launches investigation into balls found along shoreline

“Laboratory results released by scientists of samples taken from the solid ‘balls’, which were shown in a video circulating on social media, have found that the solid particles are fats, likely originating from food establishments,” explained municipal spokesperson Gugu Sisilana.

“After initial complaints about potential sewage pollution at these two beaches were received, an immediate investigation by the Pollution and Environment Department was carried out. While findings indicate very low faecal contamination in water samples taken on Tuesday, January 7 at both the uMhlanga Main and Bronze Beach, the source of the solid ball matter is being profiled to confirm its origin.”

She added beach clean-up operations will commence to remove the ball-shaped solid matter now that investigations have been carried out.

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