Ongoing water woes for KwaMadlala
The Chairperson of the youth in Ward 25, Zweli Zulu, says he has raised this issue many times with the relevant departments, but there is still no help.
Ntombenhle Mbili of Ward 25 in KwaMadlala in Nyandezulu area says that with the help of her husband, they dug up a wetland so they could have water for use in their home.
This area has not had water for over four years, and the community has not had relief from a water tanker either.
Mbili says they do have community taps, but they cannot remember the last time water came out of the taps.
“We’ve been using these small dug-up pools in the wetland, and we have to get up very early to fetch the water, or one must go in the evening because the water gets finished.”
The Herald visited the area and had to walk through bushes to where the pools are located.
This community shares the water with cows, goats and dogs; sometimes, they cover these little pools with plastic.
Ngenzeni Madlala says they have begged their councillor for help, and he tells them that the water tanker is coming, but it never comes.
“The only time we get clean water is if there is a funeral nearby and a water tanker comes to fill up, so we stop the truck driver and ask him for water.”
Madlala says currently, the water in the river looks cleaner than usual because they haven’t touched it for a few days.
A pensioner, Winnie Madlala, says they now have to take their grandchildren to the clinic frequently. “Every now and then, I must take them to the clinic because they get a rash or some sort of skin infection due to the water.”
She also says they are scared to go down to the river during the day or send children because when the sun is out, snakes come out, too.
“All we need for now is water; that’s all we ask for, clean drinking water because our lives depend on it.”
The Chairperson of the youth in Ward 25, Zweli Zulu, says he has raised this issue many times with the relevant departments, but there is still no help.
Zulu says whenever they have weekly meetings, he still reminds the councillor of the area, but till today, nothing is being done to help this community.
Ward councillor Simosakhe Nyawose was contacted for comment but could not be reached.
Ugu District Municipality was also contacted for comment, but none was received at the time of going to press.
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