Water frustrations spill over for KwaNzimakwe residents

Infuriated members of the KwaNzimakwe community came out in numbers late last night and early this morning to voice their frustrations with Ugu District Municipality over inconsistent water supply.

Protestors had aimed to block the R61 highway near the Caltex garage offramp but were dispersed by means of rubber bullets by Saps public protection unit.

Residents said certain areas in KwaNzimakwe had been without water for over five years and that they had had to resort to collecting water from rivers and water tankers, sometimes having to pay for this.

Bideon Jula, a leader in the community, said lack of water was a huge problem in the area. “For years, as a community, we have been asking Ugu to come out and tell us what the problem is,” he said.

“Our elders have to walk long distances to get water from streams in order to survive. As a rural community we also have the right to clean water supply. On some days we do get running water in the standpipes, however, that water runs on certain hours, mostly at night. But during the day, when the people need water, there is nothing.”

Jula said he believes that the infrastructure for water supply is inefficient.

He said the main lines installed were only to supply the standpipes, which are also minimal in the area.

“We feel that there is some sabotage and corruption within the municipality. We suspect that they are working hand-in-hand with the owners of water tankers, who are benefiting from the situation. When the community has no water, the tanker owners make money as they are charging the community for water,” Jula added.

He said they are fed up and will continue to strike if Ugu leadership does not come up with a permanent solution to this.

A senior Ugu official was seen on site, however, he did not address the protestors.

Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram