Residents claim water bills discriminate against them

Dannhauser residents have turned to the assistance of Pravin Gordan, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the Public Protector and others in a bid to petition what they say are ‘unrealistically high water accounts’ generated by Amajuba District Municipality.
Colin Krause and Praveen Nair, who are spearheading the campaign, say the District Municipality has not answered any calls for any solutions to the issues, despite ‘numerous demands’ by residents.
“This goes back to 2013 when the accounts were handed over to Amajuba from uThukela.
“To date we have received no solution from yourselves. The residents of Dannhauser will not resort to violence and destructive action but will also not be intimidated by your draconian misuse of power. The residents reiterate that they will pay their water accounts when the present situation is resolved,” Mr Krause said.
“The Amajuba Mayor failed to arrive for a residents’ meeting called for by her office on March 19.
“This was viewed as very disrespectful.
“Now we are faced with strong-arm tactics as only the residents of Ward 2 (Dannhauser) receive first and final demands for fictitious water readings and water accounts, not to mention the threats.
“However, this will not achieve the desired outcome.”
Mr Krause told the Courier that out of 102 000 residents in the Dannhauser Municipality, which equates to 20 400 households, only 600 households in Dannhauser town are targeted.
“Taking this into account, the authorities are ignoring illegal water connections and newly built, substantial houses with running water and indoor sewerage in the other wards of the Dannhauser Municipality.
“The residents of Dannhauser view this as blatant discrimination and until a resolution is found the status quo will remain; we will not be paying bills.”