ANDILE MOSHOESHOE
AT the Harry Gwala District Municipality’s Water Indaba in Ixopo this week, community water challenges and the delay of water projects were brought to the fore.
The Indaba brought together all four local municipalities within the Harry Gwala district to strengthen working relationships and tackle community challenges. It also focused on seeking solutions to the challenges faced in the provision of water and sanitation services.
Nkululeko Mphakathi, a councillor in Umzimkhulu, raised the matter of contractors completing water projects at a slow pace. He also complained about incomplete projects. Greater Kokstad Municipality mayor Lwanda Madikizela was concerned about the digging of roads during repairs of water pipes, where roads are left without being fixed.
Madikizela said in some instances, tar roads are dug up and no one seems to take responsibility afterwards. The Harry Gwala District Municipality mayor Zamo Nxumalo has called for concrete facts to be put on the table for proper discussions and resolutions to avoid wasting time and prolonging community suffering.
“We need to learn to properly investigate challenges facing our communities and also find solutions to some challenges as leaders, rather than bringing them up at meetings without proper facts,” he stated.
He added that while water and sanitation fall under district jurisdiction, this does not mean local municipal councillors should overlook, disregard, or ignore water and sanitation challenges in their municipalities.
He also outlined the municipality’s firm commitment to unity, collective responsibility and decisive leadership in addressing ongoing water challenges, while stressing that water remains a critical and highly sensitive service, demanding innovation, sound governance and meaningful community partnership.
