Durban - Water and Sanitation minister Senzo Mchunu has taken water officials in the Ugu district to task for having poor excuses for failing to deliver water to communities.
Among the excuses that minister Mchunu found offensive, which was raised by the community during a public meeting today, was that some officials told community members they cannot have access to water because they live in “hilly” areas.
Communities on the South Coast took turns detailing the painful stories of water shortages and poverty in their area during a visit by Minister Mchunu, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and other senior officials.
“Some people say water is life, but it is a right that is written in the Constitution of the country. I agree fully that water is life. Without water, you cannot go forward,” said Mchunu.
“It does not matter which ward you live in, you deserve water. We hear stories about officials. When responding to concerns from the community about water shortages, they tell community members that they cannot deliver (piped water) because that community member lives in an area that is a hill.
“There is nothing which says if you live on a hill, you cannot get water. Water is life, water is a right irrespective of where you live. We (the water and sanitation unit) must come back here to tell officials that the terrain of the area has nothing to do with them. Their job is delivering water. Do not give rubbish answers as a municipal official (when responding to the community).”