The Democratic Alliance (DA) held a peaceful march from Princess Park to the uThukela District Municipality offices in Connor Street today (October 14), demanding an urgent solution to the ongoing water supply shortages affecting parts of the district.

Not asking for water, but demanding

The march was attended by DA KwaZulu-Natal leadership including Sithembiso Ngema, Francois Rodgers, Maliyakhe Shelembe, uMngeni Local Municipality Mayor Chris Papas and uThukela DA chairperson Cllr Thys Janse van Rensburg.

The Estcourt Water Works Committee (EWWC) also showed their support.

After the march, the party addressed the media, where KZN leader Sithembiso Ngema emphasised that they are not asking for water, but demanding it.

No-show by municipal leadership to accept memorandum

The DA had expected to hand over a memorandum of their demands to uThukela, but leadership was not present. The official who was allegedly sent by leadership to accept the memorandum arrived after the march. However, the DA had already decided that the memorandum would be submitted to National.

The DA condemned the municipality’s leadership for failing to attend, saying that management knew in advance that the party would be coming to hand over the memorandum.

Prolonged water supply challenges

The march follows prolonged water supply shortages in parts of the district, which have raised concerns among residents and businesses alike.

The DA said that major factories and stores in Estcourt would be closing because of the ongoing ‘dry taps’, highlighting the potential impact of water shortages on local businesses.

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