Councillor blames municipality for crisis
THE Democratic Alliance in the uMkhanyakude District is concerned about the deteriorating state of service delivery and water crisis in the district.
The party has asked the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to intervene.
Mtubatuba Municipality DA PR Councillor Annacletah Mabika, said that the district residents have been faced with water crises over the past seven years.
‘Our district municipality has failed to deliver on its mandate, and is refusing to take full responsibility for this problem. Instead they choose to blame the water cuts on infrastructure maintenance and upgrades, which is an excuse they have used since 2011.
‘uMkhanyakude District’s water infrastructure is not only old, but is struggling to meet the increasing water demands placed upon it. This has had a cumulative negative impact on development projects in the district and the local tourism industry.’
Mabika said they are also concerned about the string of service delivery protests which have become a regular occurrence, especially in Ward 15 in the Machibini area.
uMkhanyakude Communications Manager, Mdu Dlamini, said the district municipality is working closely with Cogta to address the water issues.
‘Councillor Mabika has served on the uMkhanyakude District Municipality and previously did not raise such concerns.
‘She has seen the efforts that our district municipality have put in to ensure citizens receive water and was part of the municipal team which approved the budget.’
Dlamini said Mabika was aware that the district had a limited budget to cover the needs of all inhabitants, and refuted a claim that the mayor Mkhombo and acting municipal manager failed to meet with St Lucia residents.
‘Currently some projects such as the Jozini water project have been completed and will be providing water to Jozini, Mbazwana, Hluhluwe and Ingwavuma.
‘The council also resolved to increase the capacity of the Shemula water scheme, which supplies water to uMhlabuyalingana communities, while the Hlabisa-Madlakazi water scheme is close to being completed.
Dlamini noted that the Mpukunyoni and Hluhluwe phase 4 water schemes are also almost completed.