Elderly without water as UDM cracks down on non-payment
Angry residents say that the country's Human Rights dictate that everyone has the right to clean and accessible water, adequate for the health and well-being of the individual and the family.
Residents of Sithembile’s family units say they are being denied a basic human right, namely clean drinking water.
Water supply to the family units was abruptly cut off last week Thursday and hasn’t been restored since, causing outrage.
Angry residents say that the country’s Human Rights dictate that everyone has the right to clean and accessible water, adequate for the health and well-being of the individual and the family.
Residents feel they should not be deprived of access to water due to their economic circumstances.
According to the Department of Water & Forestry, all residents are entitled to 6000 litres of water per month per household to support personal hygiene.
People are complaining that this right was violated by Umzinyathi District Municipality (UDM) when they cut the water supply to the Sithembile family units late last week.
“It’s funny how UDM is quick to cut our water supply when we have never received statements from them, and we have never seen them reading water meters here in Sithembile.
“Even if we wanted to pay, how do we know how much we owe?” questioned one fuming resident.
Those affected are also confused as to why only a part of Sithembile was cut off and not the entire location.
They told the Courier that it can’t be only the family units that owe the municipality.
“This whole thing feels like a personal vendetta against us.
“Cutting our water completely is illegal.”
The residents also explained that they have bathrooms inside the family units and it is a health hazard for them not to have access to clean water.
One resident added that there are also households with elderly people and young infants, as well as young scholars who need water to get by.
“We need water to survive; this is uncalled for,” shouted another resident.
UDM communications officer Nkanyiso Celekhulu told the Courier that residents were warned about the municipality’s initiative to implement the approved Revenue Enhancement Strategy to disconnect water supply to customers whose accounts are in arrears.
“The public was told about these water cuts in January and customers were urged to contact our accounts department for any disputes and to make payment arrangements,” explained Celekhulu.
He further explained that this is now the consequence of non-payment.
Celekhulu also said that their clients were notified via the local newspaper (Courier), as well as via other platforms to come forward and apply for amnesty regarding their water bills.
“We did urge all communities under our district to pay their accounts or apply for amnesty should they not be able to afford it.
“We also advised the public to visit our accounts office and negotiate a payments plan to avoid having their water cut off completely,” said Celekhulu.
Ward 3 Councillor Mbulelo Phakathi explained that he has tried his best to get UDM to at least provide water tankers for the families whose water supply has been cut off.
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