Andile Moshoeshoe
MUNICIPAL leaders of the Harry Gwala District Municipality have warned that persistent vandalism and tensions in the uMhlabashane community in Highflats continue to undermine efforts to provide reliable water services.
The revelations followed the recent deployment of a high-level delegation to engage directly with residents.
The delegation was led by municipal speaker of the Harry Gwala District Municipality, Sibongiseni Mdunge, who interacted with the community to provide a comprehensive update on the municipality’s ongoing interventions aimed at restoring consistent access to clean and reliable water.
The engagement brought together senior municipal officials, technical specialists and contractors responsible for rehabilitating damaged infrastructure.
The contractors detailed the extensive work undertaken to repair and replace vandalised pipelines, pump stations and other critical components of the water supply network.
However, they revealed that despite repeated restoration efforts, municipal infrastructure continues to be deliberately vandalised, frustrating progress and significantly delaying the delivery of uninterrupted water services.
Municipal officials explained that repeated acts of sabotage against water schemes, pump stations and distribution pipelines have reversed substantial gains achieved through public investment.
Addressing residents during the community meeting, Mdunge urged the community to place the collective interests of residents above political differences, emphasising that access to basic services should never become a casualty of political rivalry.
“We do not prevent anyone from exercising their democratic right to participate in politics. However, political differences should never compromise service delivery because, at the end of the day, we all depend on these essential services as citizens, not as members of political organisations,” said Mdunge.
Although discussions were at times robust and emotionally charged, municipal leadership encouraged residents to embrace constructive dialogue, mutual respect and collective responsibility in protecting infrastructure designed to improve the quality of life for all members of the community.
