'For no amount of money' – Durban residents unconvinced by safety of water

At a festive season launch on Thursday, eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda confirmed the city's readiness to host visitors. 

The mayor and other officials also went for a dip in the ocean to prove to beachgoers that the water is safe. 

Concerns over fluctuating E-coli levels at Durban's beaches led to closures after the April floods battered eThekwini's sewerage systems. 

After reopening the beaches, the municipality insisted E.coli levels are safe for recreational use, even though some opposition political parties weren't convinced. 

Kaunda has promised there would be round-the-clock testing of water samples. 

But some Durbanites say they won't be putting their bathing suits on just yet.

READ: PICS: Kaunda takes dip at Durban beach in bid to prove safety

One woman who spoke to Newswatch said she won’t be jumping into the ocean anytime soon.

"I do not trust the municipality. I think it's a ploy for tourism to gain revenue in KZN,” she said.

These thoughts were echoed by another man who spoke to Newswatch.

"I don't trust that the municipality is being truthful, I think they are telling people the beaches are safe so they can attract tourists."

No amount of money can convince her to swim in the sea, said one resident.

"Until this government wakes up to do something about it because what they are doing is shooting the tourist in the foot." 

There has been some sympathy for the municipality, with one local saying while she still has some concerns about the water she believes the municipality is working hard to improve the beaches' status. 

"However, I'm still concerned about the possibility of the water quality changing."