Furious Tongaat residents continue protest action [Watch]

Traffic in and out of Tongaat and Westbrook was brought to a standstill this morning as entrance and exit points were blocked by angry residents demanding water.

Some Tongaat residents have been without water for 53 days now and they claim no progress is being made to get water into their taps.

As an interim measure, eThekwini municipality has said it is providing water via water tankers and 48 static tanks.

But residents said if it was not for non-profit organisations and businesses who have been donating water, they would have been left helpless.

The situation was exacerbated by tankers that arrived “half filled with dirty water,” which cannot be used for drinking.

Residents also complained about the rudeness of tanker drivers.

“We need water in our taps. There are a few areas receiving water for a few hours a day, but that’s not enough. We are tired of the empty promises and if we don’t get water, we will continue to protest and bring Tongaat to a standstill,” said one resident.

KwaDukuza motorist Khethiwe Biyela, who works in Tongaat, had been stuck in the traffic since 6.40 this morning.

She said although she could not get to work, she was not against the protest because she was also affected.

“We are going to get sick, because at work we can’t use toilets or wash our hands. We really need water in Tongaat,” said Biyela.

A businessman and his workers also joined the protest.

He said his chemical manufacturing business needs a minimum of 200 litres a day.

“I have already lost money due to the floods and it costs me an arm and a leg to get water to run my business. This is crippling me big time,” he said.

At around 9am the roads had been opened again.

Progress update

According to eThekwini municipality’s latest statement, construction of the emergency water supply pipeline from Nyaninga reservoir to Tongaat South reservoir has been completed.

This means access to piped water is now available in some areas of Tongaat which receive their supply from these reservoirs.

It is still intermittent, however, as it must be rationed.

The following areas now receive water through rationed piped supply: King Shaka International Airport, Dube Tradeport Agrizone, Mount Moreland, Shortlands,

Watsonia, Buffelsdale, Mithanager, Trurolands, Gandhinagar, Chelmsford Heights and parts of the Tongaat Central Business District.

“Arrangements to begin rebuilding the Tongaat water treatment plant are at an advanced stage. Repairs of the access road to the plant has been progressing well, but the floods two weekends ago did cause some delay,” said eThekwini spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela.

“Procurement processes to start rebuilding the plant have been finalised and work will begin as soon as a contractor is appointed.

“In the interim, the municipality continues to supply water through water tankers and 48 static tanks.

“There are also boreholes and a donated package plant which supplies non-drinking water.”

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