Tensions are running high as frustrated residents have blockaded the entrance to Bhekuwandle, KwaFelikize and Wanda Cele Road on Monday morning, after having no water and electricity since Thursday, 28 January.
Tyres have been set alight in the road and nobody is being allowed access into and out of the area.
There is no police presence and this has angered residents even more.
The neighbouring township of Illovo has also been affected by the outages.
Residents started the blockade on Sunday night and continued in the morning.
“Not one water truck has been to deliver water since Thursday,” said Felikize resident, Chanelle Peters, who was still visibly shaken when she spoke to the Sun. “Police came on Monday morning and left without doing anything. They need to send someone to sort this out, we all need to go to work.”
A business owner in the area, Deepak Bhardwaj said it is scary what is going on. “This is nonsense. It’s been five days without water and electricity,” he said. It’s not right what the residents are doing, but what else can they do to get someone to sort out the problem? It is frustrating for them. We want peace in our area.”
This is nonsense. It’s been five days without water and electricity
One of the residents involved in the blockade said they have heard various stories about why the water and electricty has been cut off, but they don’t know what to believe.
They have no voice to represent them as the area’s elected councillor died in December and to date has not been replaced.
Ward 97 councillor, Andre Beetge confirmed that the residents in Metro’s southern wards (67, 93, 94, 95, 96 and 98 that stretch across the areas of Ezimbokodweni, KwaMakhutha, Bhekulwandle, Kingsburgh West and the historical Adams Mission) are entering their sixth day without electricity and water.
“The situation has become life-threatening as with temperatures into 30 degrees, the limited number of water tankers deployed to assist more than 100,000 affected residents are far from adequate, yet municipal call centres confirm that the matter is beyond their control,” he said.
“The rumour is a main electricity supply cable was stolen, which affected the municipality’s ability to supply water.
It’s not right what the residents are doing, but what else can they do to get someone to sort out the problem? It is frustrating for them. We want peace in our area
Discussions with the head of electricity, Sandile Maphumulo and water and sanitation’s Ednick Msweli on Sunday evening confirmed that while aware of the situation, they remain unable to resolve it.
It appears the situation is a direct result of tenderpreneurs who hope to secure lucrative contracts from the municipality and while remaining unsatisfied, are threatening officials in the execution of their tasks and then to the detriment of all – not least the poorest of the poor in the affected areas who do not have the means to travel to collect the desperately needed water from neighbouring, unaffected areas.
The situation has reached breaking point with officials refusing to leave depots for fear of their lives as while they would be able to effect repairs under the protection of SAPS, Metro Police or private law enforcement, many received threats in their private capacity should they undertake repairs until those in demand are allocated the desired contracts.”
Toti residents are up in arms after trucks transporting water containers were seen filling up from Toti, Baggies and Winkle beaches on Monday morning.
“They can’t just take water from the beaches,” said one Doonside resident who preferred to remain anonymous. “I saw so much water being wasted. I couldn’t believe what I saw. We pay our rates and taxes and this is going to cost us money.”
Toti residents wanting to donate water to the affected outlying areas can either drop off containers at the councillors’ chambers, 423 Kingsway, Amanzimtoti or the Glenridge Church in the CBD.
