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The DA in eThekwini is seriously concerned about the ongoing human rights violations as the eThekwini municipality is falling critically short in its legal obligation to provide adequate access to water.

Since the disaster hit the city over three weeks ago, many officials have become inaccessible and unresponsive to the pleas of the community desperate for water. Hard hit areas like Tongaat, Isipingo, Amanzimtoti, Verulam, Assagay, Pinetown, Ntuzuma, Mzinyathi and Umkomaas have not had water since the day of the floods and do not receive adequate tankers – sometimes for days.

The auxiliary unit responsible for providing water supply when there is no piped water, has failed to explain how the distributions are being done and how they plan to supplement their operations.

The situation on the ground has become critical.

The records are mired in controversy as certain suburbs receive more tankers than some wards receive in a week. It is also unclear why eThekwini has not received disaster funding particularly in flood ravaged areas almost 24 days later.

Heart wrenching scenes are playing out across the city with thousands of people queing on their streets, waiting in desperation for someone to drop off water either for drinking or sanitation. Some people were seen scooping water from sewer contaminated streams and drains.

All manners of support are being attempted from the private sector but it is dwindling as it is not sustainable.

The city has also not been forthcoming with an emergency supply of drinking water as their sachet plant is functioning far below optimal capacity.

Despite several calls for intervention, the city leadership has not procured additional water for drinking. Whilst officials sit in meeting after meeting, nothing tangible has been communicated to the community at large. With the risk of waterborne diseases looming, the distress is now slowly turning into anger as fights are breaking out at water distribution points and a syndicate has emerged of people selling free water from standpipes.

We requested an urgent brief from the acting city manager on auxiliary services i.e., tankers and the fast tracking of repairs across the city.

The Tongaat crisis, where an entire Water Treatment Works is damaged and offline and hundreds of thousands of people are without water or answers, also needs to be urgently addressed.

The issue of officials going underground at a time of a colossal crisis is unacceptable.

The South African Human Rights Commission has announced an investigation into the water situation in eThekwini. This is critical and necessary.

The DA has communicated with our National Shadow Minister of Water, Leon Basson MP, to urgently request that Parliament's portfolio committee intervenes to prevent further suffering.

Issued by DA Member of eThekwini Municipality Executive Committee, Cllr. Yogis Govender