Residents in different areas of Ladysmith are still battling with irregular water supply. Sometimes water pressure is low and sometimes taps are dry. This is an ongoing problem that never seems to go away. But the question is: Why?
Allegations have recently surfaced that uThukela District Municipality owes Umgeni Water millions of rands and that is the reason for the town’s never-ending water woes.
Commenting on these allegations, uThukela spokesperson Jabulani Mkhonza says it is grossly untrue that uThukela District Municipality owes Umgeni Water such an amount.
“Like most municipalities across the country, we are faced with economic challenges because of the slow economic growth. It must therefore be mentioned that the money that is billed by Umgeni Water on a monthly basis is, of course, higher than what we collect from our customers. One needs to understand that slow economic growth is also affecting households’ and consumers’ ability to meet their financial commitments, including their ability to pay for municipal services. Stakeholders’ meetings usually sit to discuss operational issues like these,” explains Mkhonza.
He goes on to say that Umgeni Water is by no means responsible for water interruptions or cuts in the district. “The fact of the matter is that, in recent times, we have experienced heavy rains and Mother Nature also played a devastating part in damaging our water infrastructure. Normal pipe bursts and planned maintenance are sometimes the main reasons we experience water cuts,” he concludes.
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On the other side of the coin, Umgeni Water Corporate Stakeholder Manager Shami Harichunder had the following to say… It is common knowledge that the national economy of South Africa and the economies of many cities and towns are facing significant challenges caused by slow growth. This has impacted on households’ and consumers’ ability to meet their financial commitments, including affordability of municipal services.
The large and growing indigent population and high unemployment rate has exacerbated the current debt situation of many municipalities. uThukela District Municipality is also facing challenges relating to revenue collection for provision of services. This, in turn, has resulted in uThukela’s inability to timeously meet payment commitments in line with Umgeni Water’s debtor days target of 30-40 days. Constructive and ongoing discussions are taking place with uThukela leadership in order to develop a mutually agreed upon payment plan.
A meeting between Umgeni Water and members of uThukela management, as well as a councillor with oversight on Water & Sanitation, took place at the Umgeni Water offices on Monday, January 13. There was subsequently a follow-up meeting between the two parties. It was agreed at these meetings that uThukela would produce a payment plan.
Umgeni Water is unfortunately not in a position to disclose the amount due to it. A positive outcome with regards to a payment plan will enable Umgeni Water to spend additional funds that will enhance water services provision within the district.
Read the full story in the Ladysmith Gazette dated January 31.
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