Cabhane residents demand basic services
Last week, Ugu District Municipality opened four boreholes in the area.
After more then three decades of freedom and equality, there are still places such as Jiyankomo in Cabhane area in Ward 14 in Umzumbe Municipality which does not receive basic services.
Residents of this area said it seems that the only thing they have been voting for are toilets because that is what they have received from the municipality.
Roads in the area are in a terrible condition and it’s impossible to drive on a section of the main road after it rains. Also, teachers are unable get to school because of the mud on the road.
The community also complained of their dire water situation.
A resident, Fikeleni Gasa, said as a young married woman living in the area, there was no water. Now, an elderly woman, she still has to fetch water from a dirty river.
“We share the water with dogs and cows, unfortunately, there is nowhere else to source water.”
She bemoaned the lack of services.
“There is an area where boreholes have been drilled, but it’s far from us, too far for us to fetch water. Also, those boreholes don’t work anymore. Water tankers don’t come here because of the condition of the roads.”
On Wednesday last week, Ugu visited Ward 14. Four boreholes were opened, 12 standpipes are now available, as well as two pumps with two 10 thousand litre tanks.
According to the municipality this was part of ongoing work by the contractor and that positive outcomes are expected from the project, which is part of the municipality’s efforts to ensure Cabhane communities have access to water supply.
Another resident, Senzeni Makhanya, said various issues have been reported to the municipality.
“We had a protest to demand water, roads, RDP houses and job opportunities, but nothing. If a person is ill, we have to push them in a wheelbarrow to get help because the roads are terrible.”
Umzumbe Municipality’s spokesperson Sabelo Ncwane said that the municipality is aware of the situation in Ward 14.
Ncwane said a grader was sent to the area to grade the roads.
“If the graders have not come to the area, we ask that residents contact their ward councillor, but we will also let him know.”
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