As taps continue to run dry in many parts of Tongaat, residents have again taken to the streets in protest, this morning blocking the R102 at Hambanathi.

The protest was jointly planned by the Tongaat Civic Association (TCA) and Hambanathi Water Crisis Committee and is not linked to the national shutdown yesterday.

“Our basic human rights have been violated as citizens of the eThekwini Municipality.

“We do not have tapped drinkable water in excess of 50% of Tongaat. Our pleas as a community have fallen on deaf ears,” reads the statement issued by the group last night.

Initial plans indicated that the three main entry and exit points for Tongaat would be blocked, namely the R102 south and north and the Watson Highway that links Tongaat and Westbrook.

There was also talk of shutting down the N2 at the Tongaat Toll for maximum efficacy, but this has not come to pass.

Currently the only road closure is at Hambanathi, on the northern side of the town on the R102.

Residents took to the streets in the early hours this morning and were initially dispersed by Public Order Police (POP) who used tear gas and rubber bullets to do so.

It is alleged that two Hambanathi residents were injured in the process.

“In Hambanathi, they were fired upon by POP. Obviously with it being dark, I think the guys may have stumbled over and fell,” said TCA member, Don Perumall.

“We’ve been teargased this morning, hit with rubber bullets and what we called a peaceful protest is now turning into something ugly due to the hard-handedness of the officers,” he said.

The protesters came back in greater numbers however and have been allowed to block the road again, with Saps, POP and eThekwini Metro officers on scene to monitor the situation.

Protesters hope that their efforts will lead to national intervention into the crisis, as they believe it has been mishandled by eThekwini and provincial authorities.

Previous protests at the same location and on the Watson Highway led to minor improvements, largely with regards to water tanker availability and the time frame for infrastructure repair, but the situation is still dire for thousands of residents.

It is also alleged that water tankers have been increasingly infrequent recently.

“We understand that there is a water shortage and that the repairs to the Water Treatment Plant are on track, that is not our issue.

“Water passes through Tongaat on the coastal region, to service areas like Ballito and Ndwedwe. We demand that our reservoirs are filled now,” said Perumall.

“Officials were here yesterday, but we want minister [Senzo] Mchunu to come in person.”

This is a developing story, follow The North Coast Courier for further updates throughout the day.

Follow The North Coast Courier on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube for breaking news

Telegram Broadcast Service: https://t.me/joinchat/yJULuN8NaCs5OGM0

WhatsApp Broadcast Service: Add The Courier to WhatsApp at 082 792 9405 and WhatsApp your name and surname to be added.