By: Natasha Archary
Irate Tongaat residents have taken to the streets to protest against the eThekwini municipality, as the suburb goes 22 days without water.
Water supply to parts of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has been affected since the devastating floods gripped the province last month.
Severe damage to infrastructure which is estimated to cost roughly R1 billion, has impacted supply to Tongaat and other north coast areas.
Residents have had to rely on community outreach projects and volunteers who donate water and have complained about the lack of water tankers by the municipality.
Tongaat residents embarked on protests on Thursday to highlight the dire situation as they feel powerless.
While the municipality previously assured residents that water tankers will be readily available daily, residents say this is a lie.
One resident too to the eThekwini Municipality’s Facebook page to share that there aren’t enough water tankers coming to the area.
“What is happening to the water supply in Tongaat? There aren’t enough tankers and some areas are not being covered at all. Why can’t councillors put up JOJO tanks because we have to track where these tankers are everyday and it’s ridiculous. We need answers and our ward councillors are hiding instead of finding a clear solution,” wrote Melanie Maistry.
She mentioned the plight of the elderly in the community who are expected to carry up to 50l of water up 4 flights of stairs to their flats or down steep embankments.
The Gift of the Givers have started drilling boreholes in some parts to help people have a sustainable source of water.
Meanwhile, the municipality has explained that Tongaat was one of the worst affected areas that was hit by the floods. As a result, the Tongaat Water Treatment plant was destroyed and needs to be rebuilt from scratch.
“The damage to the infrastructure is extensive and it will take a while to restore. The municipality is exploring alternative water sources and options to fast-track repairs.”
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