In a bold address at the Post-Budget Business Breakfast recently, eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba outlined a comprehensive strategy to tackle the municipality’s longstanding water and sanitation challenges. But as the city charts a new course with plans worth billions, communities like Shallcross remain sceptical — and still without water.
Mayor Xaba acknowledged the rising frustration over water outages, billing inaccuracies, and infrastructure failures, saying that the city has approved a multi-year turnaround strategy supported by National Treasury. The reforms include reducing non-revenue water to 25% by 2029, replacing 40,000 old water meters annually, responding to burst pipes within 24 hours, and ringfencing the water and sanitation unit for greater accountability.
A performance-based agreement could also see eThekwini receive R365 million by September — the first tranche of a R2.5 billion support package contingent on the city meeting key governance targets.
However, residents of Shallcross argue that these commitments remain hollow without real impact on the ground. For years, they have endured erratic and often non-existent water supply — a reality that starkly contrasts with the city’s narrative of reform.
Frustrated resident Shan Pillay said: “Broken promises. Empty promises. That’s what we’ve had. Our taps run dry without warning — while the municipality calls it ‘water shedding,’ it’s anything but scheduled. We’re left in the middle of a shower or while doing laundry with no explanation and no support.”
The Shallcross community, an ageing and historically marginalised population, says they are being failed at every turn. Many elderly residents, some physically disabled, are unable to collect water even when tankers are dispatched — a rare occurrence.
“If it weren’t for neighbours helping neighbours, some of our elderly would’ve died. Does the municipality not see that? Do they care?” asked Pillay.
Frustration is further compounded by perceptions of inequality in service delivery. Residents claim that while they continue paying rates and utility bills, nearby informal settlements are better serviced — a disparity they say is not about race, but fairness and dignity.
“This isn’t a race issue. It’s a human rights issue. We’re all entitled to the same access to water under the Constitution. Or is that just for some of us,” questioned another resident, who wished to remain anonymous.
Ward councillors, too, have admitted to being powerless in the face of municipal inertia. Residents say officials arrive, take notes, and disappear — with no feedback and no action.
Despite efforts to escalate the crisis — through petitions, peaceful demonstrations, and countless letters — Shallcross continues to suffer in silence.
On, Wednesday, 11 June, Mayor Xaba conducted an oversight visit to the Southern Aqueduct, to assess construction progress on a section of the pipeline at Mosely Park.
The R1.2 billion project is aimed at increasing water supply to southern and central parts of eThekwini, including Umlazi, Queensburgh, Chatsworth — and Shallcross.
In a statement released on the municipality’s Facebook page, the city confirmed that significant progress is being made on the Southern Aqueduct project, which aims to meet the growing water demand in the south of the city, as well as some parts of the central area.
“The R1.2 billion Southern Aqueduct project consists of a 24-kilometre bulk water pipeline. The Southern Aqueduct supplies about 1.2 million people through 33 reservoirs. The project of upgrading the Southern Aqueduct comprises of replacing the 975mm diameter concrete pipes with new steel pipes with varying diameters from 1000mm to 1600mm diameters,” the statement read.
As eThekwini accelerates its turnaround plans with bold announcements and budget allocations, communities like Shallcross remain unconvinced.
Pillay said: “We know there are two pipelines supplying water to the area, but one has been shut down. That’s basic logic — of course we’re not getting water. But getting a straight answer from the municipality is like squeezing water from a stone. Where does the answer to our water problems lie? If we knew, we’d have built our own reservoir by now.”
Mayor Xaba has urged residents to protect infrastructure and report leaks, saying the new strategy is about restoring public trust. But for Shallcross, trust — like the water — has long stopped flowing.
To report water faults in eThekwini, contact the Water Services Helpline toll-free number at 080 13 13 013. For emergencies, such as a burst pipe, contact the 24-hour Emergency Response Call Centre at 031 361 0000.
