Water Crisis Committee slams slow response to Verulam water disruptions
The City says repairs have been delayed after repeated attempts to access the construction site were blocked by the property owner.
The Verulam Water Crisis Committee has criticised what it describes as a slow response to ongoing water challenges in the area.
Parts of Verulam have been without water for five days.
Dispute over property access leads to repair delays
The eThekwini Municipality has blamed the issue on a burst pipeline on Ireland Street in the central business district.
It says the pipe was damaged when a new development was built over a section of the pipeline, which supplies water to more than 6 000 residents.
The City says repairs have been delayed after repeated attempts to access the construction site were blocked by the property owner.
Legal action launched to access site for Verulam water repairs
Municipal officials say they are now pursuing legal action to gain access to the site and restore water supply.
The affected areas include the Verulam CBD, Riyadh Township, Tampe Valley and parts of South Ridge where water tankers have been deployed to assist residents.
"We have one individual holding the entire Verulam CBD, suburbs and the community of Verulam ransom," said Roshan Lil-Ruthan, a member of the Water Crisis Committee.
"Now, through my intervention and through councillor Johnson Chetty from the DA, we then contacted the legal head of eThekwini and [the] go ahead was given to the metro police to break open the locks on that property, gain access by force and conduct the repair."
Find us on social media
Follow the ECR Newswatch WhatsApp channel here
We are also on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter)
MORE ON ECR:
