The eThekwini Municipality Deputy Mayor, Zandile Myeni, ward councillors, and the Tongaat Task Team came together to pay tribute to the victims of recurring disasters in Tongaat. The event saw the TTT hand over petitions carrying signatures of the people of Tongaat and a memorandum highlighting concerns, including water, sanitation, sewage, and the victims of the tornado and floods that still require aid.
This gathering was a clear demonstration of the community’s determination to seek solutions to the challenges they face. Representatives of government departments, ward councillors, members of the TTT, and concerned community members attended the event. Programme Director and TTT member Jaya Naidoo guided the proceedings and welcomed speakers who raised concerns about service delivery issues.
One of the key speakers, Chairperson of the TTT, Ikram Sahib, emphasised the community’s unity and determination. He said: “Today we are gathered here not as individuals or isolated organisations. We stand here as one united body with a united voice. This initiative was not launched by government. It was not commissioned by any department. It was born from within the community in pursuit of something greater: accountability, dignity and better service delivery for every resident of Tongaat.”
Sahib also highlighted the struggles the community faced during the floods, saying: “For nine months we had no water, for nine months we survived without this basic human necessity. Families carried buckets over long distances and the elderly and sickly suffered. Then just as we were getting back on our feet disaster struck again as a tornado tore through Tongaat, leaving behind a trail of destruction that stripped many of their homes, possessions and jobs yet we are still here. We are resilient but that does not mean we do not require help. Our people should not have to endure, they deserve to recover and prosper. That is why we are here today, we are calling on the leadership of this province to hear us and not just listen but to act.”
Following Sahib’s address, Naidoo read out the demands, stating: “This petition serves to affirm our collective demand for immediate, transparent and sustained intervention from the eThekwini Municipality relevant service delivery departments in addressing the issues faced by the community. The public demands an immediate elimination of the tender process for the Tongaat water works, and an elimination of tender fraud. The community demands a restoration of reliable water services in Tongaat. We call for a full refurbishment of all ageing water infrastructure in Tongaat carried out by competent municipal employees and local labour. We ask the municipality to officially release a transparent and time-bound schedule for maintenance and repair of the infrastructure. We call for open and clear lines of communication between the municipality, TTT, Tongaat Water Works and the community on an ongoing basis to ensure effective service delivery.”
The memorandum was then handed over to Myeni, with copies sent digitally to other relevant government officials. The residents are requesting an acknowledgment of receipt and a public response from the municipality by 9 July, within 14 days of its submission. Naidoo emphasised the importance of water as a basic necessity, saying: “Water is not a luxury; it is a basic necessity. The inability to provide water is not only a failure of government but an infringement on human rights.”
Vice chair of the TTT, Baba Mthembu, added his voice to the call for action, urging Myeni to witness the struggles firsthand. He said: “There are many in Tongaat who are suffering, who in the face of these disasters have been left with nothing. I urge the Deputy Mayor to take a drive around Tongaat and she will see for herself the community needs help.”
In response, Myeni assured the community that their concerns are being taken seriously. She said: “We as government are taking these concerns seriously and we will be forming a multi-disciplinary committee that will involve the councillors of Tongaat, representatives of relevant departments and other Exco members including the office of the speaker. This committee will assess these issues and establish where to begin with a plan of action. When called to address problems we will include the task team in all future endeavours because when discussing service delivery issues or issues stemming from the disasters, members of the community have the right to hold us accountable.”
