Transnet says ‘oil dumping video’ was sand dredger pumping sand along the Durban beachfront

TNPA was responding after video circulating on social media showed the sand dredger and claimed that “a foreign ship was dumping oil” on a KZN beach.

A screengrab of a video circulating on social media shows a substance being pumped along the Durban beachfront. Picture: Twitter

Published Dec 6, 2021

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DURBAN - THE Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has said a vessel seen spouting a substance close to the shores of Durban’s beachfront was the Port of Durban’s Isandlwana dredger helping to replenish sand onto beaches.

TNPA was responding after a video circulating on social media showed the sand dredger with the claim that “a foreign ship was dumping oil” on a KZN beach.

TNPA said on Monday: “We wish to inform you that the video that started circulating on Thursday, 02 December 2021 is in fact the Port of Durban’s Isandlwana dredger helping to replenish sand onto Durban’s beaches, ahead of the festive season.

“The dredger is using a method known as ‘rainbowing’, which propels clean sand that has been dredged from the sandtrap in a high arc to a particular location.”

TNPA said it has an agreement with the eThekwini Municipality for the port authority to nourish the beaches.

“We would like to assure the public that this act is safe and does not pose any danger to beach users or the marine environment.

“Dredging is a fundamental activity that removes excess material on the seabed in order to maintain the depth levels of the ports and keep waterways safe for ships to navigate.

“Apart from keeping the port operational, dredging is also responsible for sustaining Durban’s famous beaches to counter the prevailing winds and currents that cause a northward movement of sand.

“To prevent this sand from compromising the port’s entrance channels, dredging creates sand-traps and pumps the sand back to the northern side. Without this, the beaches would be eroded.”

TNPA management said the public could report any fake news to Transnet’s hotline number 0800 003 056 or email [email protected]

THE MERCURY