Dry taps, tankers a no-show
At a council meeting, the manager for water in Ugu, Sizwe Malinga, said that there has been problems but it is under control.
Once again, Ugu communities have been facing water shortages, even though the municipality says it’s under control.
Most areas, inland and urban, have been complaining of dry taps and that water tankers are a no-show.
A protest was held in KwaMadlala’s Ward 15 recently. This area has not had municipal water since 2021.
According to the ward councillor, Sfundo Ngwane, a borehole was installed earlier this year but only produced a minimum amount of water.
Ngwane said for years, the community has been surviving via water tankers.
“Our lives depend on water tankers.”
Ngwane said that people protested because they are tired of living this way.
At a council meeting thereafter, the manager for water in Ugu, Sizwe Malinga, said that there have been problems, but it is under control.
DA councillor Leonard Ngcobo said that he wished that the managers had accurate information, as sometimes what is said by a manager in a meeting is not what is being experienced by communities.
“Sometimes we are told that the problem has been fixed in a certain area, but when you get there, there is no water. Plumbers, shop stewards and managers should have proper communication between each other.”
Ngwane also added that there was sabotage in Ward 15 because the plumbers have said that they were unable to find stoppers that were closed.
“Another issue is the poor communication from plumbers and managers. Information is inaccurate at the municipality, for example, I could receive a report saying that there are eight trucks available to deliver water in an area, but you might find that some of those trucks are unroadworthy.”
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