The struggle for access to basic necessities continues in Verulam, Tongaat, and surrounding communities, as a near-constant lack of water plagues the area. Everest Heights in Verulam is currently on its 11th consecutive day without water, while many other communities have gone without water for even longer.
On Sunday, 16 February, Roshan Lil-Ruthan, communications spokesperson and liaison of the Verulam Water Crisis Committee, penned a letter to provincial manager in KZN for the South African Human Rights Commission, Pavershree Padayachee. Lil-Ruthan highlighted the struggles faced by the community, explaining that the reservoir serving the community receives water directly from the Hazelmere Treatment Works. However, he alleges that water is being diverted to more affluent areas, such as uMhlanga.
“Interference by Hazelmere Treatment Works and uMngeni-Uthukela through water diversion is taking its toll on our community, which is reacting with growing anger and frustration. This preferential diversion, which prioritises profit over people, must be condemned in the strongest terms,” said Lil-Ruthan.
Lil-Ruthan formally requested a town hall meeting with the community of Verulam, surrounding suburbs, relevant stakeholders, and the commission.
Councillor Dolly Munien of Ward 61 in Tongaat shared concerns about the water crisis in her area. She said: “There is currently a burst pipe in Hambanathi affecting the community of South Tongaat, areas such as Buffelsdale, Flamingo Heights, and Chelmsford Heights. Every single week, these kinds of issues prevent this community from receiving water for a few days. When these problems happen, there is often no communication, leaving me to drive out, take pictures, and inform the community.”
Munien stated that the community of Emona recently faced a 55-day period without water. “Their situation was exacerbated because of how difficult it was to get water tankers into the area. When it rains, tankers cannot navigate the area, and as a result, the community is stranded without water.”
Packaging company Venk-Pac has stepped in to distribute water to the community, attempting to alleviate the struggles faced by residents.
In light of the ongoing water issues, DA Provincial Chairperson Dean Macpherson will lead a picket at the Durban City Hall on Friday, 21 February.
Macpherson said: “Thousands of residents in the eThekwini Municipality have had intolerable water outages. Communities continue to bear the brunt of these outages with no explanation from the eThekwini Municipality. It is for this very reason that the DA in KZN will be calling for the removal of the City Manager as well as demanding truthful answers regarding the eThekwini water crisis.”
The eThekwini Municipality was contacted for comment but did not respond at the time of print.
