ACCORDING to the Department of Water and Sanitation Minister, eThekwini Municipality’s water problems and failing infrastructure are a result of poor governance.

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Senzo Mchunu said this as he announced that some of the sewage treatment plants in Amanzimtoti and Isipingo are among those that have been taken over by uMngeni-uThukela Water. Under the directive of Mchunu’s department, uMngeni-uThukela Water took over the running of 10 problematic sewage facilities that process 90% of eThekwini sewage capacity. Most of these plants were damaged by the 2022 floods and have been one of the root causes of the city’s water woes.

“uMngeni-uThukela will take over the plants, refurbish them and make upgrades where necessary. Work is currently underway to correct that situation. This process was championed by my department,” said Mchunu.

He referred to a southern aquaduct which supplied Folweni and other areas which was decommissioned around 2016 and was abandoned.

“When the second pipe in the area had to be decommissioned some years later, no steps were taken to ensure the continued water supply, and I can only put it to poor governance,” he said, adding that infrastructure is allowed to age beyond repair instead of the City being proactive.

Ward 97 councillor André Beetge said the intervention from the national government is a clear indication that the governance has dismally failed at a local level as it would require R135 billion to restore the water and sanitation infrastructure.

“One would, however, have to speculate why it even took this long for the national government to intervene. These problems have been highlighted by opposition parties for years, yet with all suggestions or recommendations, they have been disregarded,” he said.

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