Water and sanitation issues have been a source for great frustration for many residents over the years but lately, around almost every corner there’s a burst water pipe or a blocked sewer.
After Ward three councillor Duncan Magubane requested a meeting with Uthukela District Municipality officials seeking answers, on August 15 at 1pm in the council chambers, many have sighed with relief. Some of the matters that were discussed, were water tankers, disconnection of water, burst pipes, sewer blockage, leaks, the George Cross Plant and illegal water connections. What shocked Uthukela officials and left the District Mayor Dudu Mazibuko stunned during Mr Magubane’s address was hearing that Uthukela plumbers ask for payment to tend to water and sanitation related issues.
The District Mayor believes there is a major communication gap between Uthukela District and Umtshezi municipalities and this weakness can be strengthened. In some of the reponses given officials did admit that infrastructure is very old and that could be adding to all the water-related issues surfacing.
Uthukela are working on tending to matters in a sufficient way avoiding any hiccups, “there is always room for improvement,” said the District Mayor Mrs Mazibuko.
Some of the solutions that Uthukela officials have come up with were, updating service delivery plans, relooking the current operations, presenting reports on progress and for key issues to be resolved in order to deliver quality services to the community. During their next visit to Estcourt, officials would like to embark on community awareness and teach the community how to sustain this precious liquid resource for future generations. Mrs Mazibuko advised that only when no action has been taken after a call is made to the call center, then should the matter be reported to the ward councillor. Any and all reports concerning water and sanitation issues can be reported to the call center on 086 010 4257.