WATER CRISIS
Tanya Waterworth
THE harsh realities of no water supply for close to a month has hit the residents of Ingwavuma in northern Zululand.
Described as a 'terrible situation' by Regional Magistrate, Steven Mundhree, the local court was forced to close last week.
'We are sitting with 150 cases currently waiting to be heard and many witnesses have arrived after long journeys from rural areas.
'We have contacted the uMkanyakude Municipality on numerous occasions to find out when we might have water again, but with no joy.
'There is no water and we are simply praying for rain to fill our water tankers,' said Mundhree.
The Ingwavuma SAPS station is also battling to stay operational with prisoners in cells left with no washing facilities and no flushing toilets.
Station Commander, Supt Masuku, says they are using police vehicles to collect water in cans from the river for drinking purposes.
'We have 64 members stationed in this area and everyone is struggling.
'We have seen one water tanker in a month, it is a disgrace,' he said.
While many residents are buying bottled water from the local Spar, the water tanker at the business has almost run dry.
'We have used most of that water for making bread and we have had little or no rain in the last month. This is a crisis and we need immediate assistance,' said Spar Manager, Riaan van Wyk.
Dried up
In response to the Zululand Observer's queries, uMkanyakude Municipality's Director for Water Services, Angus Patterson, said they have had recurring problems with the water pump for Ingwavuma.
'This pump has been re-installed on a number of occasions with the last break-down on Tuesday. The sub-contractors have been recalled urgently and we hope it will be up and running today (Wednesday),' he said.
With limited rain, Patterson added the region was facing a drought crisis.
'The Hluhluwe Dam is only 20% full and we may well have to place restrictions on Hluhluwe later this week.
'The Umfolozi River has all but dried up and while we normally supply 14 million litres per day to Mtubatuba, we are down to being able to supply only six million per day.
'We urge residents to please use water sparingly,' said Patterson.
St Lucia is already under water restrictions with the water supply being cut off from 10am - 3pm and 9pm - 5am.
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