Protests can affect water supply to industries, says Mhlathuze Water
Water utility spokesperson said these actions threaten water supply at a time when it is in great demand
LAST week’s disruption of the bulk water supply in Nkandla by angry protesters, will have far-reaching consequences for local industries and communities.
So says utility Mhlathuze Water, which condemned protestors for blockading the main gate of the Madungela pump station in Nkandla with burning debris, preventing the night shift pump operator from leaving and the day shift operator from entering.
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‘While we understand that community members have some grievances the King Cetshwayo District Municipality has to address, we remain critical of their decision to disrupt Mhlathuze Water’s bulk water operations, particularly as we are not directly responsible for the reticulation of water to households,’ said Mhlatuze Water spokesperson, Siyabonga Maphumulo.
Madungela is one of two pump stations in Nkandla supplying bulk water to the Goedertrouw Dam, which in turn supplies the large industries in Richards Bay and local communities.
Maphumulo said these actions threaten water supply at a time when it is in great demand because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
‘Mhlathuze Water would like to urge the community to use the proper dispute resolution channels to air their grievances and not endanger the lives of employees or threaten its bulk water infrastructure.
‘We also applaud the local traditional leadership in Nkandla for their intervention to try and find a solution.’
The action follows a number of violent protests causing water delivery disruptions in the region. A new service agreement is at the core of the problem.
King Cetshwayo District Mayor, Nonhle Mkhulisi, said last month their teams were intimidated in some areas, and could not access water plants after the contract with the previous service provider, Water and Sanitation Services South Africa (Pty) Ltd (WSSA), was terminated on 30 June.
WSSA Regional Manager, Mthokozisi Nyawose, said they could not confirm whether former employees were involved in the protest action.
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