Kouga Municipality has received the go-ahead to breach the mouth of the Seekoei estuary at Jeffreys Bay.
The artificial breaching of the estuary mouth got under way earlier today, May 30, after NEMA Section 30A application was approved by the East Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT).
Kouga Community Services Portfolio Councillor Daniel Benson said the municipality had submitted an emergency application to the Department, requesting permission to breach the mouth artificially.
“We submitted the application because of the large amount of water washing over the causeway between Aston Bay and Paradise Beach – resulting in the closure of the causeway,” said Benson.
“The situation has arisen due to recent rain in the catchment area of the estuary, which contributed to the elevation of water levels and the subsequent threat to the causeway.”
According to Benson, not only does the situation demonstrates an imminent and serious threat to municipal property, but it also will invariably have a socio-economic impact on residents.
He further expressed his concern about learners – who are writing examinations – and other residents being affected by the over-topping of the causeway.
