The Democratic Alliance (DA) visited Ugu’s St Helen’s Rock pump station last Thursday.
It was a surprise visit by the DA to find answers as to why most of the South Coast has no water.
Councillors Doug Rawlins, Leon Garbade, Ajith Rajaram, Andries Kruger and Jean Schmidt (Ugu councillor) said they are tired of the community phoning and messaging them to why there is no water. They said they also don’t have answers to the community’s questions.
Some areas are still without water and some were without water for days and weeks.
This has become norm and a new way of living on the South Coast.
For over a month people have been complaining of not having water and if lucky, it is only for a day or a few hours.
It has not only been the towns and suburbs that are suffering, but also the inland areas and townships.
When the councillors arrived at the pump station they found that only one of three water pumps were working, it is probably the reason why people do not have water.
They also found a huge water leak which caused a backflow.
As a result, the Bhobhoyi dam water level was very low and the purification plant was unable to produce clean water.
While visiting these sites it was also found that both the river berms, one of which cost R3.7 million had washed away.
Cllr Garbade then made a video and sent out a public statement explaining these issues and what they had observed.
On Monday this week, the N2 in Bhobhoyi was closed due to a public protest.
The community of Bhobhoyi said they were fed up and were demanding water from Ugu.
The N2 was strewn with piles of burning tyres, wood, logs, tree branches, stones and broken bottles.
One of the protesters said they have been without water for four weeks in ward 23.
They blamed Ugu as it is the municipal authority mandated to deliver water to them, but that it was ‘sleeping on duty’ and doing nothing to supply water to them.
Spokesperson for Ugu, France Zama was emailed for comment, but no response was received at the time of going to print.
Another concern is the water leak at the Batstone bridge.
The pipe has been leaking before festive season last year. Ugu has said they are investigating.
Ugu is also waiting to appoint a new municipal manager after DD Naidoo resigned in April 2021.
Since then Ugu has had two acting municipal managers.
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