A severe water crisis gripping Chatsworth and surrounding areas in eThekwini is wreaking havoc not only on households but also in schools, where daily closures and unsanitary conditions are threatening the health and academic future of thousands of pupils. The situation has been ongoing for months, with schools and residents enduring intermittent or no water supply, despite repeated pleas for lasting solutions.
The eThekwini Municipality confirmed in a recent statement that the restoration of water supply from the Chatsworth Reservoir 4 has been delayed due to threats made against municipal staff. On 5 May, a Water Distribution Officer was reportedly intimidated and prevented from performing vital maintenance on the system. As a result, the reservoir could not be refilled, leaving large parts of Chatsworth — including Arena Park, Crossmoor, Montford, Moorton, and Welbedacht — without consistent water supply.
According to the Democratic Alliance’s eThekwini Caucus Leader, Councillor Thabani Mthethwa, a group of approximately ten armed individuals physically confronted Water Distribution Officers (WDOs), blocking access to the Chats 4 Reservoir and preventing them from closing outlet valves—an essential step in allowing the system to recover. Out of concern for their safety, the WDOs withdrew, and security support had to be requested to restore access to the site.
Mthethwa said: “This is not just about vandalism. It’s economic sabotage and an attack on human dignity. These actions directly endanger the community by prolonging outages that force residents and schools to rely on water tankers—often controlled by the so-called tanker mafia, who benefit from sabotaging normal supply systems.” The DA has called for urgent intervention from senior municipal officials and warned that service delivery must not be “held hostage by thuggery.”
This disruption has sent ripples through local schools, many of which are now shutting their doors early each day. Pupils are being sent home due to unhygienic lavatory constraints, empty JoJo tanks, and the absence of clean drinking water. The situation has become untenable.
Naseema Osman, Savannah Park Civic chairperson, described the growing desperation. “The school has to email the Department of Education to request water tankers, which are then sourced through the municipality. It’s a lengthy and ineffective process. JoJo tanks are often left dry, leaving the schools no choice but to close early. The children are getting sick,” she said.
A list compiled by community stakeholders revealed at least 14 schools severely affected by ongoing water outages, including Dawnridge Primary, AYS Memorial Primary, Everest Primary, and Kharwastan Secondary. These schools span neighbourhoods like Moorton, Shallcross, and Queensburgh.
At Meadowlands Technical High School, the situation has become particularly dire. “We’ve had to send learners home numerous times due to water shortages. There’s no water for toilets or drinking. Our borehole, which used to serve the community, is under repair due to a leak. It was installed five years ago by a sponsor,” said Lionel Naicker, a member of the school’s governing body.
He warned of the long-term educational impact, especially on older pupils. “Matriculants are suffering the most. Their classes and extra lessons are often cancelled due to the unhygienic conditions. They’re forced into independent learning via WhatsApp, which simply isn’t enough. Many of our learners come from far-off areas like Hammersdale and Umgababa, making mid-day closures a serious problem for parents.”
Naicker also highlighted how technical education suffers more acutely in these circumstances. “Our school is practical by nature. Pupils can’t access tools and equipment at home. This has a direct effect on their academic performance and mental wellbeing.”
The Democratic Alliance has also weighed in, with Councillor Fatima Ismail labelling the situation “a leadership failure.” She criticised eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba and City Manager Musa Mbhele for failing to provide consistent updates or effective water supply alternatives.
“Vulnerable residents — including the elderly and families with young children — are being left in unhygienic, unsafe conditions. Communication from both eThekwini Water and Sanitation and the contracted provider, Umgeni-UThukela Water, has been abysmal. This crisis has gone from inconvenience to violation of basic human rights,” said Ismail.
The DA has called for the immediate restoration of continuous piped water, daily communication on water supply and tanker schedules, and increased oversight of municipal water management.
Meanwhile, the municipality insists it is working to resolve the crisis, stating that security measures are being put in place to allow staff to safely operate reservoir valves. However, it has warned that water recovery efforts could take more than 48 hours from the date of the incident.
“It is unacceptable that we still have communities who experience water outages for extended periods and I want to assure the community that we remain fully committed as the City to restore uninterrupted water supply. I am confident that working with all stakeholders in this area, we will find a lasting solution,” said Mayor Xaba.
Until then, schools across Chatsworth continue to bear the brunt of the crisis.
Naicker said: “With lesson time lost, hygiene compromised, and pupils’ futures hanging in the balance, many are pleading for urgent intervention. Education is a constitutional right, but how can our children learn without the most basic necessity — water?”
This is a developing story and is still under investigation; further updates will be shared as they become available.
