Human Rights Commission keeps an eye on Ugu situation
Details in respect of the Provincial Inquiry will be communicated once all details are available.
Ugu District will form part of a provincial investigation by the SA Human Rights Commission around the current water supply issues.
The KZN PO (the Commission) said that since 2015, it had been receiving complaints relating to water shortages from various areas under Ugu District Municipality.
The SAHRC’s KZN Provincial Manager, Adv. Lloyd Lotz explained that, at the time, most of the complaints were lodged by individuals and were speedily resolved.
“We thereafter saw an influx of complaints around 2017/2018. The Commission took a decision to investigate the matter under its own name in order to address this systemic challenge/violation. The Commission conducted inspections, engaged the municipality through correspondence and meetings,” he said.
He said that during 2019, the Commission issued a notice to appear to the municipal manager and an inquiry was held as part of its investigation.
The Commission further engaged with the Cogta through the office of its Commissioner responsible for water and sanitation.
“The challenges were somehow addressed as we saw a decline in the complaints around 2020/2021.”
The Commission, however continued to monitor the matter.
“At the beginning of 2022 we again saw an increase into the complaints. During March 2022 the Commission conducted an inspection in the entire district. This was informed by a decision that the Commission had intended to conduct a hearing under the Municipality.”
However, seeing that the water challenges are affecting all the districts in the entire KZN province, the Commission has resolved to hold a Provincial Inquiry into the shortages of water in the province.
Details in respect of the Provincial Inquiry will be communicated once all details are available.
“The recent floods, which have damaged the infrastructure, have severely contributed to this challenge. The investigation is ongoing in this matter.”
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