The Democratic Alliance in uMlalazi Local Municipality has written to the King Cetshwayo District Municipal Manager, Mr. Philani Sibiya, to request an urgent investigation into the water crisis in the municipality including the alleged selling of water by municipal water tanker drivers.
This follows the DA’s engagement with the water-stricken community of Ward 25 in uMlalazi. Residents have informed the DA that some water tanker drivers are selling water to residents that have JoJo tanks at their homes, at R350.00 per tank.
About 70 households in this community are sharing water from a 5 000 litre leaking JoJo tank.
We have written to Sibiya to demand him to:
– Replace the leaking 5 000 litre Jojo Tank.
– Install a second JoJo Tank.
– Investigate the alleged illegal water sales.
Sibiya must also keep us informed and report back within 14 days.
From our oversight it became clear that a second tank is needed to prevent overcrowding and allow everyone to receive water.
When the tank becomes empty, the community has to fetch water from a nearby unprotected filthy dam, where the local livestock also drink water from. This exposes the community to diseases. The right to clean water is enshrined in the Constitution. We are committed to ensuring that this right is protected and residents get water.