Payment dispute – shark nets removed

AFTER not receiving payment for more than five months, the KZN Sharks Board removed nets protecting bathers on Monday this week.

Swimming at seven South Coast beaches, including those with Blue Flag status, was prohibited.

The board claims it was forced to take such drastic measures as Hibiscus Coast Municipality was in arrears with its monthly meshing service fees.

The municipality slammed the board saying it had used ‘underhand tactics’ .

With tourism being the area’s lifeblood, ratepayers have every right to believe that paying for such an essential service as shark nets would have been a priority for the municipality’s finance department.

The removal of the nets could have serious ramifications.