Sludge woes in Ezingadini, Mondlo
Conflict between this community and the municipality started as a result of the waterworks depositing sludgy water from their system into this community.
The community members of the Ezingadini area near Mondlo B Section are living in a swamp due to muddy water flowing into their homes from Mondlo waterworks.
The Mondlo Waterworks was built in the early 1980’s and the Ezingadini community members started building their homes just across the road shortly thereafter.
Conflict between this community and the municipality started as a result of the waterworks depositing sludgy water from their system into this community.
According to Mr Zweli Dlamini, a community member, the water used to be channelled through a proper system that carried it out from the department of waterworks, through the Ezingadini area into the Mvunyane River which in turn takes the water back to the KwaMtiki Dam from which Mondlo receives its water.
“The muddy water now flows into our yards and we feel that the municipality couldn’t care less about our health and well being,” said Mr Dlamini.
The Ezingadini area is part of a piece of land owned by the Mdlalose Chieftency and it is suspected that this may be the reason the issue is not receiving the attention it requires.
“We have, upon countless occasions, spoken to municipal officials but are always only thrown from one to the other without a proper solution,” he continued.
Mr Dlamini says that the community is not waging war against the municipality.
Children are said to sometimes be found playing near this water and the community fears that a child might drown or get trapped in the mud.
Mr MP Mdlalose who works at the waterworks department pointed out that staff members could do nothing about this crisis as they only do that which they have been hired to do.
“I am aware of the situation of water going into the homes in Ezingadini,” said Mr Mdlalose.
The Induna of the area also says that he no longer knows what to do and feels both disrespected and disregarded by municipal officials.
“Sometimes when you approach these people with a problem you are made to feel inferior, like your opinion or complaint does not matter,” said Mr Thomas Khumalo the Induna of the Ezingadini settlement.
The Vryheid Herald is awaiting response from Wandile Dlamini of the municipal Water and Sanitation Department regarding the matter.
