[Video] Margate in the lowlight
Little attempt is being made to maintain the infrastructure in Margate.
IT appears that Margate’s crown is slipping further, and it’s questionable whether a champagne toast should be given at the unveiling of the new ‘Welcome to Margate’ sign event held next Monday.
Sewage overflowed into the Margate river last Friday and Monday this week and, upon investigation, the river was found to be full of rubbish, with no attempt made by the local municipality to keep it clean.
The bridge over the stream at the crossroads (behind Martin Electronics and Parkview, opposite Frey’s Butchery) needs urgent attention, with half of the cement in danger of collapsing.
Local businessman, Kenneth Goldswain, said that with the rain, the sewage and rubbish will end up on Margate beach, and with holidays approaching it poses a serious health risk for children swimming in the lagoon.
“It’s the small things like the potholes, broken sidewalks, blocked storm water drains and litter that visitors are met with when they enter Margate,” he said.
Mr Goldswain said he is concerned about the sewage entering the Margate river, and that it will go the same way as the seriously polluted Mbango River in Port Shepstone. He said that sadly very few fish and birds are nowadays seen in or near the river.
Sipho Khuzwayo, spokesman for Ugu District Municipality, said it was found to be a sewage-related blockage. “A team has been sent out to rectify the problem,” he said.
Mr Goldswain, who has been in businesses in Margate for some 23 years, said that he can see a huge difference compared to when he first arrived in the town.
“Margate is going backwards,” he added.
Simon Soboyisa, the spokesman for Hibiscus Coast Municipality, said the river was opened this week by the Aquatic Safety Section, with the necessary approval from KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife and Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs, to prevent it from bisecting the beach and eroding sand.
He said that it had in no way had anything to do with Ugu or the apparent sewage leak from the overflowing manhole cover.
He said the refuse issue will be attended to by its community services department. FOR MORE PHOTOS, CLICK HERE
