The Democratic Alliance (DA) in uMzinyathi is urgently calling on KwaZulu-Natal CoGTA MEC, Rev. Thulasizwe Buthelezi, to urgently intervene in the ongoing water crisis in Esiphisaneni, Ngome, under the Umvoti Local Municipality.
This crisis was first reported to the DA in December 2024. On 13 January 2025, the DA uMzinyathi District visited the community for an oversight inspection. Residents revealed that motors used to pump water from JoJo tanks were removed by the municipality and never returned, leaving the community without clean water for months.
With no alternative provided, residents are forced to collect water from a nearby river that is drying up and unsafe. No interim relief, such as water tankers, has been provided. Desperate residents now pay private individuals up to R500 for water, an expense most cannot afford.
Following the oversight, the DA wrote to Umvoti Mayor Councillor Malembe, on 20 January. While the Mayor initially promised action, he later passed responsibility to Umzinyathi District Municipality. The DA then wrote to District Mayor Councillor Thembisile Mchunu in April. Despite follow-ups in May and June, no action has been taken. In June, Mayor Mchunu claimed the matter had been resolved, but the crisis continues.
The DA considers this a serious failure of local government. We have now written to MEC Buthelezi requesting urgent intervention and immediate relief.
We will continue to fight for the people of Ngome until this crisis is resolved. As part of our ongoing engagement, residents of Esiphisaneni have been invited to raise their concerns at the DA’s upcoming GPU Roadshow in Greytown this month.