uThukela issued a water shortage warning today (October 25) after protesters interfered with the operation of the Ezakheni Water Treatment Plant.

While not confirmed, a source close to the issue stated that current negotiations linked to the ongoing taxi war have created a degree of uncertainty and elements are using the supply of water as a bargaining chip to get what they want.

Although police are at the Ezakheni Water Treatment Plant, they cannot operate the equipment and as the workers are too intimidated to actually arrive at work, they are powerless to restore the water supply.

uThukela warn the communities of Ezakheni (Sections A to E), Pieters industrial area, Mthandi, Acaciavale, Smartiesville, Aloe Park, Leonardsville and other sections of Steadville that since yesterday afternoon, the Ezakheni Water Treatment Plant has not been operational owing to protest action.

While they have refused to say officially what protest action, sources say it is taxi-violence related.

According to uThukela, the matter has not been resolved as yet. Water tankers cannot be dispatched, as the Ezakheni Water Treatment Plant is used to feed the water tankers.

It must also be noted that once the Ezakheni Water Treatment Plant becomes operational, it will take approximately 48 hours for the system to recover in order to feed all affected areas.

uThukela District Municipality apologises for the inconvenience caused and is doing everything possible to expedite this unfortunate situation.

Ezakheni is currently heavily patrolled by members of the POP, National Intervention Unit and other specialised police units.

According to an insider, the Gamedes want to resolve an issue they have with Alfred Duma Municipal Mayor Vincent Madlala after a shooting incident involving children of the Gamede clan and the mayor’s child at an Ezakheni school.

The shooting resulted in mayoral bodyguards and several Gamede clan members exchanging fire. Despite queries at the time with the municipality, they denied that the incident took place.

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