Mass action planned to end water crisis

Recurrent water interruptions have been irking people in and around Estcourt. Waking up to dry taps has become something of a norm for residents.

This has disrupted hundreds of households, schools, businesses and organisations, fuelling frustration. As anger begins to build up, communication from water service provider uThukela District Municipality has been almost non-existent, with residents having to often rely on hearsay from the public on social media groups. The district municipality’s communications department has also remained uncommunicative about what is causing the water interruptions and what is being done to alleviate the problem.

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As some residents endured more than two weeks without water and others an erratic water supply, a decision was taken to unite in a call for efficient service delivery as well as answers from uThukela District Municipality. A community meeting was called on May 13 for residents to decide on a way forward, where community members also expressed their exasperation at the frequent and prolonged water stoppages.

“We have reached the end of our tether. One of the basic needs is water. We have been enduring this hardship for quite a while now. People complain and messages are sent to uThukela, but we get no response. We have to solve it now! If we keep quiet, it will carry on,” said a resident.

Stating that water accounts are paid timeously each month, residents demanded to know why the service delivery from the district municipality is ineffectual. It was decided that residents would band together and plan a protest march where a memorandum of demands will be handed over to representatives from uThukela District Municipality.

This move was favoured by all present, who agreed that it was time for action. The process of applying for a legal protest march was explained, with an emphasis on the march being done ‘the right way’. Committee members were elected to be at the forefront of convening the march – from delivering the documentation to disseminating information to the public about when the planned protest march will take place.

Residents were advised that once documentation has been completed, a time-frame of between seven to 14 days will ensue while local authorities meet to discuss a suitable date for the march. As a show of joint force, residents were encouraged to spread the word and at least one person from each affected household is present for the planned protest march.

 “Even if the water comes back, we can’t forget about our decisions. We have to stand together,” said a resident.

Before the meeting wrapped up, people were given an opportunity to voice their concerns. It was unanimously agreed that ‘enough is enough’ and it’s time for uThukela officials to ‘shape up or ship out’.

“The uThukela board is a bunch of fat cats who are not representative of our community. They don’t know what is going on, on the ground. They must be removed and replaced by competent people,” said a resident.

In the absence of municipal water tankers, sincere gratitude was conveyed to the Al-Imdaad Foundation staff, who tirelessly deliver water to affected areas whenever they are called on and often bear the brunt of discontented residents who haven’t had running water for days.

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