PICTURES: A dry Christmas for Ntambanana
Patience runs thin as taps run dry and hundreds say they spent Christmas without water
A MERE 30 minutes’ drive from Empangeni, the relatively undeveloped area of Ntambanana this year had no, or very little, water over Christmas.
Ward 33 residents who say they are fed up with the ‘empty promises’ of water tankers and better conditions, shut down the P700 which is still under construction on Wednesday morning, burning tyres and stoning vehicles.
The also blocked access to the Buchanana Clinic.
‘We are fed up. The City of uMhlathuze does not care about the people of Ntambanana,’ said Mphiweni Biyela, who spoke for the protestors.
He explained that while three water trucks were supposed to deliver water every day, one or some days none had come since the beginning December.
‘We cannot clean ourselves, we cannot drink, we cannot cook food if there is no water,’ he said.
Others told stories of some who, out of desperation, would buy water from tanker drivers.
‘They phone a driver to come and for R250 or R300 he will fill up their tank,’ said one woman.
The community demanded that City Mayor Mdu Mhlongo come visit them to listen to their complaints, as they say that since the city took over Ward 33 after the local government elections, services have deteriorated.
Before Ntambanana Municipality was dissolved last year, water tankers were dispatched by the Mthonjaneni Municipality.
‘With Mthonjaneni we had no problems,’ Biyela said. ‘But now with uMhlathuze, we are suffering.’
Later in the afternoon the city did dispatch six water tankers, which the residents said would not be enough.
‘Look at all these people,’ said Biyela. ‘We will not be happy until every tank is filled.’
City spokesman Mdu Ncalane responded to questions via email, saying the municipality had noted the concerns.
‘The city engaged with this community and reached amicable resolutions which are long lasting,’ he said.
He encouraged residents to use legitimate means of communication when it came to voicing their concerns.
‘Local ward committees, PR and ward councillor’s as well as the nearest service centre should be their first contact points instead of taking it to the roads, disrupting other services and destroying infrastructure,’ Ncalane said.
‘We commend the community of Bhucanana for understanding the challenges we face as a city, including the drought and shortage of resources.’
Additional reporting by Orrin Singh and Thando Ndlovu
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