Illegal water and electricity connections rife in KwaDlangezwa
City also gears up for festive season
THE City of uMhlathuze has uncovered countless illegal water and electricity connections during an inspection at KwaDlangezwa on Monday.
The inspection team was led by city Mayor Mduduzi Mhlongo and Speaker Mfundo Mathenjwa together with city plumbers and technicians.
They started at the informal rental houses outside the University of Zululand (Unizulu), where they uncovered a plethora of illegal water connections, bridging of water meters to avoid paying for water, a number of leaking taps and pipes, as well as illegal dumping sites which pose health hazards.
Mhlongo said most residents in the area extend their houses and some build student accommodation for rental purposes. In most cases owners do not pay for municipal services.
‘We need to identify the owners of these settlements and engage with them on a number of issues.
‘Many life-threatening dangers were identified. In some cases you have to pass under live electricity wires which are within reach by hand. Illegal water and electricity connections are rife.
‘We need to meet each other halfway in such a way that we can reconnect meters and fix the leaks.
Owners must pay for services because their dwellings are a business to them,’ Mhlongo said.
He added water losses were decreasing drastically within the city, but a lot needs to be done to further address this challenge.
‘We are still in a drought period and we do not know when it will end, so wastage of water cannot be tolerated.
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‘While we cannot withhold water from people because it is a source of life and it is a right to receive running water, but communities should also assist us as we assist them,’ the Mayor said.
The entourage also visited the Unizulu traffic circle where they interacted with motorists, truck drivers, public transport drivers and pedestrians on issues of road safety, and vehicle roadworthiness.
‘Our townships are notorious for the drivers who are law unto themselves, disobey all traffic rules and put their and other road users’ lives in danger by drinking and driving.
‘Those with entertainment centres in town and drunk drivers at night will meet us on the roads, waiting to clamp down on them before they kill people,’ Mhlongo said.
He further said the city was geared to meet the festive season challenges and all community safety structures were on high alert.
‘We are working well with police, intelligence units, Community Policing Forums (CPF), Home Affairs and many other law enforcement entities to ensure the safety of our people.’
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