Efforts by an intergovernmental task team comprising of the Provincial Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Department of Water and Sanitation and Ugu District municipality have resulted in the supply of water being restored in several households and businesses that had experienced water shortages in the past few days.
The municipality worked around the clock in the past week to get to the root of the problem when several areas experienced sudden water shortages. While the problem cannot be attributed to a specific cause, a few possibilities are being examined. A team of experts has been roped in to ensure a speedy resolution of the problem.
While a permanent resolution to the problem is being sought, water tankers are crisscrossing the district to ensure that communities continue to have access to clean water. Static tanks have been placed in strategic areas to ensure that no one is without water at any given point in time. Public facilities such as hospitals have been prioritised to minimise disruptions in the provision of critical services while also preventing loss of lives.
“We sincerely apologise to the whole community within Ugu district for the inconvenience that this situation has caused. I want to assure everyone concerned that the problem is receiving our utmost attention. I have issued clear instructions to the team that we must pull all stops to resolve this matter within the shortest possible time. We would like to thank the public for remaining calm while allowing us space and a bit of time to find a solution to this problem. This is a challenging time for all of us” said MEC Weziwe Thusi, Acting MEC for Cogta.
A 24 hour call centre and an sms line has been set up to handle all queries relating to this matter. The numbers are 0800092837 for the call centre and sms line is 44751.
Media Enquiries: Cogta Spokespersons Lennox Mabaso 082 884 2403 or Msawakhe Mayisela 060 966 4220 and Ugu Spokesperson France Zama 071 447 2098.
Date: 28 September 2017
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