Picture: for illustration purposes
Raging waves of discontent surge in Durban North and Umhlanga as residents, battered by habitual water outages, propose boycotting their rates payments. The situation swelled to hazardous proportions after locals were left waterless for over four consecutive days.
According to the Umhlanga Ratepayers and Residents Association (Urra), residents are boiling with indignation over the continuous interruptions to their water supply. Echoes of discontent reverberated louder last month when residents went without water for over eight days, delivering a thundering blow to the local economics. The espoused impact significantly swooped on local businesses whilst the tourism industry took a significant hit during the long weekend.
Urra chairperson Terry MacLarty has flagged the issue, presenting it as an untenable quandary caused by the municipality's trifling approach towards resolving the ongoing water problem. She pointed out the apparent superiority of concern; despite residents dutifully paying their rates, the local council is lagging in dutiful responses.
On a larger perspective, it was highlighted that plans to address the water infrastructure itself were wanting. MacLarty emphasised the severity of the outdated current water infrastructure. Despite the municipality's assurance that upgraded maintenance will ensure better future water supply, temporary solutions like providing water through tankers remain insufficient.
The anger of the residents is now concentrated on the local council, with the proposed boycott aiming to expedite actions towards a comprehensive solution for this issue. As tempers continue to rise, solutions will need to be poured in quickly before the boiling pot of local discontent overflows.