Green pool has residents irate
City of uMhlathuze has not commented on public accusations that the Empangeni municipal swimming pool's extended closure was due to unpaid chemical bills
THE City of uMhlathuze has not commented on public accusations that the Empangeni municipal swimming pool’s extended closure was due to unpaid chemical bills.
When the ZO contacted City spokesman Mdu Ncalane on 11 January regarding concerns over the closure of the pool, it was attributed to the fact that the City had ‘run out of chemicals’ and that the pool would be re-opened on 13 January.
To date, however, the pool remains green and the public have not been able to utilise it.
Yesterday (Wednesday) morning, NCP Chlorchem – the company contracted to the City to provide chlorine and chemicals for municipal pools, told the ZO that chemicals were on their way to Empangeni and would arrive by early afternoon.
ALSO READ: Empangeni in shoddy and unkempt state
Ncalane confirmed this with the ZO, noting that the pool will be open for use by this (Thursday) afternoon.
Meanwhile residents expressed shock and concern over the fact the municipal pool has been ‘unusable’ for over three weeks – during peak summer holiday heatwave – and that those who pay for access to the pool have wasted their money.
‘We want to convey our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused to all the swimming pool users during the time it was closed,’ said Ncalane.
But DA Councillor for Ward 23, Andre de Lange, expressed his disappointment at how the whole issue had been managed.
‘I am disappointed that the City took so long to sort this out.
‘The community was left to suffer for three weeks, especially those who use the pool to train and keep fit.
‘With the upcoming galas such as the Leomat looming, we just hope the City can learn from this lesson,’ he said.
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