As residents in the north of Durban continue to face dry taps with no reprieve in sight, the Tongaat Task Team (TTT) has taken to the streets of Tongaat to gather signatures from the community in a petition demanding mayoral intervention.
TTT Secretary Veni Naidoo said: “The entire team has been working hard setting up stations, doing their runs, and even going house to house to collect signatures. There is so much buzz and hype, and it’s amazing to note the support and assistance from the residents in every community around Tongaat. Everyone has had enough with the constant water stoppage, and everyone wants to assist the TTT.”
The petition put forward by the TTT demands water on tap, a clear line of communication with the municipality, and an end to the tender process to avoid corruption and poor workmanship. It calls for transparency with regards to the spending of the R61 million budget allocated to the upgrade of the Tongaat water works. This demand comes after the community realised that the current system is not working in their favour, and they are seeking a more accountable approach.
Chairperson of the Tongaat East Civic and Ratepayers Association and interim chairperson for the TTT, Ikram Sahib, explained the formation of the TTT, saying: “The TTT was formed when we realized that different civics in Tongaat were fighting the same fight for water. We decided that together we can make a bigger difference and become a force to reckon with.”
The petition drive is ongoing, with it open for more people to come forward and sign. Sahib said: “We will hand over this petition along with a memorandum to the Mayor for action. Should it be ignored, we will look to taking to the streets along with other towns like Verulam and Phoenix.” This determination to see change is driven by the community’s frustration with the current situation.
Sahib emphasised that the TTT is not affiliated with any political party or organisation and is purely for the community, with the mandate of holding the powers that be accountable for services and billing and ensuring they fulfil their promises. Sahib said: “We have found that the approach to the mayor’s office has always been trying to gain favour with the hope that we get action. Now we have changed our stance. Now is the time for accountability.”
The water crisis has been an ongoing issue in the communities of Tongaat, Verulam, and the surrounding areas. Speaking on the ongoing issue, DA PR Councillor Yogis Govender said the DA is calling on eThekwini Water and Sanitation to act with urgency to address the ongoing water crisis. “Despite efforts to dispatch water tankers, residents continue to suffer from intermittent water supply and inadequate assistance. The crisis has been ongoing for an extended period, with residents experiencing significant challenges in accessing clean and reliable water. Despite efforts to address the issue, the situation remains dire.”
Govender called the EWS response to the crisis inadequate, with water tankers failing to reach all affected areas. “The lack of effective communication and unresponsiveness from officials to the public has exacerbated the situation. Umgeni-UThukela Water (UUW), the service provider, has become uncommunicative and unaccountable. UUW has stopped attending war room meetings, and their lack of responsiveness has hindered efforts to address the crisis.”
The DA is calling on EWS to take immediate action to address the water crisis, including ensuring that area managers take responsibility for dispatching water tankers to affected areas, providing effective communication and updates to residents on the status of water supply, holding UUW accountable for their responsibilities, and ensuring that they are responsive to the needs of residents, and ensuring that the meagre water supply is not wasted and is utilised efficiently.
