Durban: The eThekwini Municipality has said that six municipal swimming pools that were closed due to a shortage of chemicals will be reopened soon.
Municipal spokesperson Gugu Sisilana attributed the closures to supply chain management delays.
“The City is experiencing shortages of chemical supply for swimming pool facilities, which is affecting six out of 42 swimming pool facilities. This is due to supply chain management delays. Suppliers have since confirmed delivery of chemicals by tomorrow morning,” Sisilana said.
She added that the affected pools would be reopened soon.
“The six affected swimming pools will be reopened by the end of this week. We profusely apologise for any inconvenience caused, as this was beyond our control.”
In Umbilo, DA councillor Fran Kristopher confirmed that the Tesoriere Swimming Pool in the ward was also affected by the chemical shortages, but said municipal officials had assured her that supplies would arrive within two days.
Meanwhile the DA has raised concern regarding the state of the Illovo public swimming pool which has been closed for nearly two years.
Regarding the Illovo pool, DA eThekwini councillor Bawinile Nxumalo stated that the party wrote to City Manager Musa Mbhele demanding urgent intervention, calling the facility’s condition an “eyesore and a safety hazard” due to ongoing maintenance failures and sewage overflow.
“The lack of communication and transparency regarding the closure is unacceptable, and the community deserves immediate answers and solutions,” she stated.
Nxumalo added that an oversight visit by the DA during the festive season found the pool empty and the sewage issue unresolved. She said the prolonged closure deprived children of a recreational space and posed a health risk to the community.