Residents accuse municipality of failure to provide water
Obed Sono said he was allowed a free water connection as the ANC had promised them this when the country became democratic in 1994.
Residents of Extension 12 (popularly known as Dunusa) have accused the Umjindi Local Municipality of disregarding the constitution, which states that everyone is entitled to water.
In terms of the council by-laws, the local council has to leave a tank for them to access the free six kilolitres they are entitled to. But this is never the case.
Barberton Times received numerous complaints from community members, some who admitted that they resorted to illegal connections. Obed Sono said he was allowed a free water connection as the ANC had promised them this when the country became democratic in 1994.
“Water is a basic need for everyone. Umjindi has failed to provide us with water for over three years and as residents we decided to conduct illegal connections,” said Sono.
The residents claimed that after a long time occupying the area without water supply, (only using the street tap that was installed), they had no choice but to resort to illegal connections. They said they were surprised when they received letters notifying them that they had been penalised for conducting illegal water connections.
“We understand our municipality is broke and at loggerheads with its merging with Mbombela. We want to go to Mbombela with water installed in our yards otherwise it will take years to receive it once we merge with Mbombela,” said one resident, who didn’t want to be identified as one of the leading ANC cadre.
A letter from the council, which was shown to this publication, read: “On October 8, 2015 it was found that your water connection was tampered with illegal water connection. According to the Umjindi Municipality tariff policy, a penalty of R3 394, 40 will be charged and must be paid in full before the supply will be reconnected”.
The residents, of whom the majority claims to be unemployed, said they had held numerous meetings with their ward councilor, councillor Anthea Mthunywa, but she was unhelpful towards them.
