Amakhosi discuss water supply with Ugu

The chairperson of Amakhosi in Ugu, Inkosi Mbuso Ngcobo, revealed an area in Umdoni has not had water since 2016, and the issue has been regularly raised with the district municipality.

He made this statement at a meeting with Ugu at Margate Hotel last Friday, where discussions focused on service delivery in rural communities governed by Amakhosi.

“From 2016, we have been reporting about the water issue in Mgangeni and Dumisa area. People are drinking water in the same river that cattle are drinking from.”

Ngcobo said people in Umdoni are still collecting water from rivers.

He said a photo was circulated on social media where a donkey was standing near a woman in a river, and no one knew if the donkey had already drank or was still waiting to drink.

Ugu mayor Sikhumbuzo ‘Zero’ Mqadi said the meeting was held with Amakhosi so that when their people ask about water they are able to give them answers.

“We also want to tell them about our upcoming projects and the current projects we have in their areas.”

The acting municipal manager, Vela Mazibuko, said water supply to Umdoni has had challenges.
He said Umgeni Water has had serious issues in supplying them (the municipality).

“We had a meeting with them, to try to sort it out because we pay them to supply us. We wanted to get another supplier but national government gave us Umgeni to work with.”

Mazibuko said most of Umzumbe is dependent on Umhlabashana Dam, also via Umgeni.

“The Mhlabashana system should produce at least eight mega litres, instead it produces six mega litres.”

He said a request to produce at least 12 mega litres has been made.

Also, Mazibuko said the municipality has tried to balance water supply in the Southern area such as Ramsgate, Southbroom, Gcilima and other inland areas.

He explained that even though the Gcilima reservoir is on 100%, it does not mean that the whole area will receive water.

“We have certain prioritised areas in Gcilima such as Thokotha. Another solution for supply to Izingolweni is that we must get funds within the municipality and install a new pipeline.”

He said once the Umtamvuna Water Works is completed, Izingolweni will have water supply.

Mazibuko said Harding rural areas have been stable and supply has been uninterrupted.
Ngcobo also mentioned that in some areas where boreholes were installed, some are not working and need to be fixed.

He said he was grateful for the meeting because Amakhosi is always willing to work with the government, especially in rural areas because they know how much their people suffer.

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