Mayor Xaba intervenes to resolve
water challenges in the North
''Our visit to this water treatment plant was necessitated by calls we have received from residents complaining about the lack of water in the northern parts of the City for a considerable number of days. As the leadership, we saw it appropriate to visit the plant to see first-hand what the challenges are,'' said Mayor Xaba.
The Durban Heights Reservoir is critical for the supply of water in eThekwini as it provides 590 megalitres of water per day. Mayor Xaba said he was grateful that the management of the water utility took them through their plans to resolve the problem leaving them satisfied about the interventions they are implementing. ''We want to plead with residents to be patient as our teams are working tirelessly to restore water supply in all affected areas,'' he added.
The Mayor also assured the people of eThekwini that there were ongoing engagements with uMngeni-uThukela Water to resolve all water challenges in the City and practical solutions are being implemented to urgently turn the situation around. The process of reservoir recovery has commenced with some reservoirs expected to recover sooner than others.
High level zones or tower zones will take longer to recover. The Municipality and uMngeni-uThukela Water urge residents to continue to use water sparingly as the demand remains high.
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New house for Waterloo resident
following devastating fire
This comes after her previous home burnt in a fire in 2018. The house was handed over by Chairperson of the Community and Emergency Services Committee Councillor Zama Sokhabase.
An overjoyed Mkzhize-Wester's eyes brimmed with tears as she received the keys to her house which she shares with two of her children and three grandchildren.
''We have waited for this moment since 2018 after our house caught fire. Through the adversity, we never gave up hope and today, we wish to thank the Chairperson, Ward Councillor and the Municipality for ensuring we have a place to call home,'' said Mkhize-Wester.
Sokhabase thanked Mkhize-Wester's neighbours for their generosity during the family's time of need.
''The repairs were long overdue. We wish to thank their close family, friends and neighbours who have housed the family during their difficulties,'' she said.
Sokhabase said through Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS) programmes, they will continue to fast-track ward-based service delivery initiatives through house handovers and infrastructural repairs. She made the commitment during her announcement of a joint housing and infrastructural programme that will be implemented throughout the City. ''As part of OSS and working with the Human Settlements Unit and ward councillors, we will be implementing an infrastrucural repair that will prioritise our people.''
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City leadership engages with
ratepayers on service delivery
This engagement was part of a series of dialogues aimed at addressing ongoing service delivery issues.
The meeting presented an opportunity for the City leadership to provide feedback on several concerns raised in a previous meeting held in April.
During the meeting, Mayor Xaba expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to engage with ratepayers and committed to ongoing dialogue with each association. ''We have an obligation to to listen to our ratepayers because we want them to be happy customers.
Together, we can make this City work, not only for us but also for future generations,'' said Mayor Xaba.
The City has taken several key actions since the last ratepayer association meetings, including enhanced law enforcement with the City recruiting more police officers and enforcing accountability to combat crime and ensure responsible governance.
In terms of infrastructure improvements, measures are in place to fix water leaks, remove illegal connections, and upgrade water metres.
The City has also started constructing the Upper Umkhomazi Dam to meet further water demand. Service delivery enhancements include a new service provider ensuring regular meter readings with a user-friendly billing format set to launch by November.
Residents are also encouraged to use the Municipal app for convenience. Environmental upgrades include the City working to improve beach water quality by upgrading wastewater treatment plants.
Norman Gilbert, representing the Provincial and Bluff Ratepayers Association, expressed satisfaction with the progress made in engaging with the City on behalf of residents.
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