Mtuba councillor raises concern over water disconnection

MTUBATUBA Municipality’s councillor for Ward 4, which includes the town, Nordale and Riverview, has raised concern over the disconnection of water services in these areas by uMkhanyakude District Municipality as it implements its debt collection initiatives.

Ward 4 Councillor Ntokozo Mthimkhulu shared a letter with the ZO, which he penned to district municipal Speaker Solomon Mkhombo and uMkhanyakude Mayor Siphile Mdaka, in which he addresses what he terms the district’s ‘unethical’ debt collection process and ‘data cleansing campaign’.

ALSO READ: Protesting residents claim police brutality

In the letter, Mthimkhulu accuses uMkhanyakude of failing to hold a public participation process on its credit control and debt collection processes, which he said resulted in numerous complaints from residents and business owners who been left with dry taps.

“Some of the affected individuals have serious historical issues that date back up to 20 years without any form of communication or contact from uMkhanyakude District on their water bills,” writes Mthimkhulu.

The councillor has called on the district municipality to reconsider the disconnection of water services, and for an urgent special meeting between himself and the district speaker and mayor.

ALSO READ: KC District and uMngeni-uThukela lock horns over water provision

Speaking to the ZO, Mthimkhulu said it is ‘unfair’ that households are issued with bills whereas they are unable to see the exact measurement of how much water they had used.

“There are even households with children, pensioners and indigents, which are deliberately left suffering because of their one-sided approach,” said Mthimkhulu.

Mdaka said in light of the R140-million uMkhanyakude has spent on bulk water purification and distribution throughout the district, excluding cost for maintenance and day-to-day operations, it is important that affording customers pay.

“This service is provided in some areas like Ward 4 Mtubatuba uninterrupted. While there are those who honour their part and pay for this service, we have those – both private and business – who don’t pay for this service and are not indigent,” said Mdaka.

The mayor added that efforts have been made through the municipality’s customer service programmes to send statements and reminders, with ‘massive mobilisation’, which includes discounts, conducted.

ALSO READ: Arrest after lifeguard house is vandalised in Richards Bay

“The revenue collection has been a challenge in this municipality for a number of years and has been a material irregularities [flag] from the auditor-general. We will never sustain this institution if those that are due to pay for the service fail to do that despite all this effort that has been made. The disconnection is a last resort; individuals with problems must contact our office directly,” said the mayor.

Don’t have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here:

HAVE YOUR SAY