Environmental concerns are mounting along the uMngeni Estuary after repeated fires allegedly linked to homeless people living in the mangroves near the garden refuse centre and waste buy-back centre raised fears about long-term ecological damage and risks to public health.

This week, three fires broke out over the course of just two days, prompting Ward 36 councillor Heinz de Boer to urge residents to email their concerns about homelessness in the area. He said this would help strengthen his complaint to the relevant departments and encourage intervention.

Related story: Video: Three fires erupt in two days along Beachwood Mangroves

Local environmental advocate and WESSA chairperson, Margaret Burger, warned that the ongoing fires are placing severe pressure on the Beachwood Mangroves ecosystem, which is not naturally adapted to fire.

“While mangroves are resilient to water-based changes, they are not fire-adapted. Repeated fires on the riparian edge will lead to further habitat squeezing,” said Burger.

Burger explained that intense heat destroys the cambium layer of mangrove trees, causing “die-back” and allowing invasive alien vegetation to spread further into areas where indigenous plants should thrive.

“Over time, this destroys the protective buffer mangroves provide, leading to soil erosion and the loss of the estuary’s ability to act as a natural carbon sink and flood protector,” said Burger.

“We know that Durban, as a coastal city, is extremely vulnerable to climate change.”

Wildlife in the estuary is also increasingly under threat. Smoke and heat from the fires are disrupting nesting and roosting sites for birds and local raptors, while vervet monkeys are losing critical foraging routes and sleeping trees.

She added that the impact extends into the estuary itself, with ash and burnt material washing into waterways used as nursery areas for juvenile fish and crabs.

Burger also raised concerns about the burning of scrap materials, particularly plastic-coated copper wiring, describing it as “an environmental disaster”.

“It releases dioxins and furans, which are highly toxic and carcinogenic to both the people living in the bush and nearby residents,” Burger said.

According to Burger, toxic heavy metals and chemical residues are also entering the estuary through runoff.

“Because this is a tidal zone, these toxins are flushed directly into the uMngeni Estuary, poisoning the food chain from the bottom up,” said Burger.

The Beachwood Mangroves are home to several protected and vulnerable species, including the Mangrove Kingfisher and the KZN Dwarf Chameleon. All three mangrove species found in the area — black, red and white mangroves — are protected under the National Forests Act.

Burger called for an urgent co-ordinated response involving multiple municipal departments, SAPS, Metro Police and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.

“The silo approach is currently failing to address this human and environmental crisis. It must be replaced by a permanent, multi-departmental management plan for the North Bank.”

Burger also encouraged residents to support local conservancies and reclaim public spaces through community involvement, including guided walks at the Beachwood Mangroves and weekly Parkrun events through the area.

“It is encouraging that councillor Heinz de Boer has highlighted these issues. The current situation is a humanitarian, social and ecological emergency that a single department cannot solve alone.”

For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook , X or  Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here