Four month deadline for oThongathi water plant rebuild
While the plant is being rebuilt, some areas of Tongaat receive water for only a few hours a day, while others rely solely on water tankers.
Work at the oThongathi water treatment plant started on Monday, three months after being destroyed by floods on April 11.
eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda has given the contractor, Icon Construction, four months to finish the R31-million project.
“There was an objection to the appointed contractor but it has been dealt with. The objection was opposed, and the contractor was recently awarded the letter to begin the work this week,” said Kaunda.
ALSO READ: Tongaat residents protest 51 days without water [Watch]
Since the taps ran dry, there have been a number of protests around Tongaat during which residents voiced their dissatisfaction about the service received from the water tankers.
At the most recent protest two weeks ago, thousands of Hambanathi residents blocked the R102 with burning tyres, demanding water and accusing the volunteers who were directing the water tankers of selling water.
Residents were promised an additional 20 JoJo tanks and water in their taps by the end of August, something that is unlikely to happen.
ALSO READ: Furious Tongaat residents continue protest action [Watch]
The JoJo tanks arrived, but no work has been done to connect a pipe to Hambanathi.
“During the protest, there was a water crisis committee and we have not received any feedback about connecting water for Hambanathi as was agreed. This means we gave Hambanathi residents false hope when we told them there would be water in their taps by the end of next month,” said resident, Joseph Mthembu.
ALSO READ: Protestors demand answers to ongoing Tongaat water crisis, now at day 74 [Watch]
Mthembu, a former Tongaat water treatment works employee, had offered his solution in May during the post-flood public meeting attended by water and sanitation deputy minister David
Mahlobo, but nobody took notice. He was delighted when the eThekwini deputy mayor gave his idea the green light two weeks ago. However, once again, nothing has materialised.
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