The iLembe District Municipality has remained unresponsive amid a growing water crisis affecting residents across the region.

This is according to the Democratic Alliance (DA), which confirmed it has escalated the matter to the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Portfolio Committee after the municipality failed to respond to a memorandum of demands handed over in April.

The DA-led protest, joined by more than 100 residents, called for urgent intervention into the district’s deteriorating water infrastructure. Among other demands, the DA called for an extension of Siza Water’s concession area and a renewal of their contract past its 2029 end date, a targeted programme to tackle billing backlogs, a formal strategy to minimise growing water losses and a report on the maintenance and repair schedule of water infrastructure.

The municipality was given 14 days to reply but has not responded.

DA iLembe constituency head Sakhile Mngadi said a formal request has now been submitted to Cogta Portfolio Committee Chairperson Marlaine Nair, urging an inquiry into the ongoing failures.

“The municipality has failed to acknowledge the memorandum, engage with residents, or outline any plan to resolve the crisis,” said Mngadi.

In Ward 25’s Doringkop, residents have reportedly been without water for over two weeks. IFP branch chairperson Sipho Mthethwa said many now rely on the Tugela River, as they cannot afford to fetch water from surrounding areas.

Groutville resident Gugulami Zama (69) said her home in Ward 10 went without water for two weeks, forcing her to cancel a clinic visit because she didn’t have water to bathe.
“Our house was reeking of urine since we couldn’t flush the toilet,” said Zama.

“We fill buckets when it returns, but it doesn’t last. Meanwhile, leaks in town run unchecked.”

The iLembe District Municipality did not respond to a request for comment.

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