Dannhauser community escalate water saga to higher authorities
The district municipality has promised to assist and alleviate some of the issues but have yet to do so till date
Tired of receiving no joy from the Amajuba District Municipality, after years of constant complaints, members of the community of Dannhauser have now taken their fight further.
COGTA, the Office of the Premier – KZN, the South African Human Rights Commission and the National Minister: Water and Sanitation have all been contacted with regards to the matter. The Ward 2 Dannhauser Community Forum has engaged with the Amajuba District Municipality (ADM) over the years, trying to find an amicable solution to the ongoing water woes.
During a meeting in May 2019, the Forum highlighted the issues and hardships experienced by the residents of Ward 2 [Town, Emafusini, Durnacol] with regards to water and sanitation. The ADM promised to resolve the issues discussed and emphatically stating that the water woes in our areas would be over by the end of June 2019. This was not the case.
During a second meeting, conducted in December 2020, the Forum highlighted the same issues. Again the ADM promised to alleviate the hardships experienced by the communities.
Minutes of the meeting were also supposed to be forwarded to the Forum in a week’s time with updates on progress made on a fortnightly basis. However, to date nothing has been forthcoming despite numerous requests made.
The town continues to experience frequent unannounced water cuts for days on end, the latest being from January 15, which lasted over 5 days.
“The provision of clean drinking water for its people is enshrined in the Constitution and is a requisite of the South African Human Rights Charter. The transgression of this basic human right is of serious concern in ensuring that the pandemic protocol is followed, that is, frequent washing of hands to stem the virus from spreading.
“As it is many of our beloved members have succumbed to COVID 19 and many are ill with the virus,” said members of the forum.
Another resident, not affiliated to the Forum, has also forwarded numerous articles regarding the ongoing water sage, to the South African Human Rights Commission.
Mohamed Shafie Ameermia, the Human Rights Commissioner, has raised the matter with KZN COGTA MEC, Hlomuka and has promised feedback on the progress of the matter.
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