Residents in Newcastle, KZN, are preparing to take their water crisis to municipal and provincial authorities in a planned march on Monday (October 26).

Northern Natal News reports that frustration is growing over prolonged supply interruptions and what community representatives describe as inadequate communication from local leadership.

The planned protest comes amid similar disputes elsewhere in the country, where residents have demanded answers from municipalities about unreliable water supplies. At the same time, some communities have faced the added threat of contaminated drinking water.

In Newcastle, Johan Pieters of the Newcastle Growth Coalition said taps in Newcastle West first ran dry around September 13, with some residents reportedly going without water for more than 20 consecutive days.

The municipality initially attributed the crisis to vandalism, Eskom and low dam levels. Pieters, however, said the immediate cause was the failure of the main pump at the Show Grounds Pump Station, which he described as the only operational pump remaining.

According to Pieters, a replacement pump purchased urgently from outside the area proved unsuitable and required modifications. More than a month later, he said, some suburbs were still experiencing severe interruptions.

He also alleged that certain areas were being subjected to water shedding, with little or no daytime supply. The municipality maintains that no water shedding is taking place.

Residents demand answers

The Newcastle Growth Coalition convened a meeting on October 19, bringing together business representatives, political parties and members of the public to discuss the crisis.

Pieters said an online petition attracted more than 1 500 signatures within two hours and has since exceeded 3 500.

The Newcastle Residents Forum is organising the planned peaceful march, with residents expected to gather at Trimpark at 09:00 before handing over a petition and memorandum of demands to the Newcastle mayor, the Office of the Premier, KZN CoGTA and national CoGTA representatives.

Organisers intend to give the authorities 48 hours to restore water to all communities and provide a clear plan for resolving the crisis.

The latest mobilisation follows earlier protests in Newcastle. In October, residents from affected suburbs marched to the municipality to demand answers after an extended interruption, raising concerns about communication and service delivery.

Water disputes spread beyond Newcastle

Newcastle is not the only community where residents have taken action over unreliable water supplies.

The Citizen reported that in Johannesburg, residents of Melville and surrounding suburbs protested in August after going without water for a cumulative 50 days over eight months. The affected communities included Westdene, Parktown West, Brixton, Westbury, Coronationville and Emmarentia.

Early in October, the Germiston City News reported that residents were demanding answers after an interruption left households without a consistent supply for almost two weeks. The Primrose Ratepayers Association raised concerns about the effects on households, schools, clinics and facilities caring for older people, as well as the adequacy of emergency water provision.

Contaminated water raises further concerns

The consequences of water-system failures have been particularly serious in Bronkhorstspruit and surrounding communities, where more than 400 cases of gastrointestinal illness were reported during October.

Meanwhile, The Citizen reported that the City of Tshwane acknowledged that water from the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works had not been chlorinated between September 24 and October 14. Residents were warned not to drink the affected tap water or use it for cooking or bathing while efforts to restore a safe supply continued.

Newcastle residents are demanding a reliable supply and a clear response from those responsible for delivering the service.

Pieters has urged residents from both Newcastle West and Newcastle East to join the march. Organisers say they will publish the memorandum and demands online ahead of the protest.

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.