Petition to get the Minister of Water & Sanitation to Intervene to Resolve Power Supply Crisis Preventing Water Access for 190 000 Residents in Southern KZN

We, the undersigned residents, urgently call upon the Minister of Water and Sanitation to intervene in the ongoing power supply crisis that continues to deny over 190,000 residents in the Umtamvuna region a consistent and sufficient supply of clean water.

Background of Issue:

  1. Ugu District Municipality’s water treatment plant was set to be upgraded to supply 30 million litres per day to meet the growing needs of the region.  However, insufficient electricity supply from Eskom prevented this upgrade from being implemented
  2. In February 2019, Ugu paid R14 million to ESKOM for the construction of a 17km powerline from the Eastern Cape to supply the plant
  3. Construction was delayed by negotiations with a local community in the Eastern Cape, only reaching agreement in December 2023 after compensation was paid
  4. Although 7km of the line was completed in early 2024, work was halted again by further community demands.  These delays fall under the jurisdiction of the Alfred Nzo Municipality in the Eastern Cape
  5. ESKOM has now warned that if these delays are not resolved by December 2025, the entire project will be cancelled

What the DA has done thus far:

  1. Multiple letters to CoGTA – all unanswered
  2. A community petition was delivered to the KZN Legislature but was not accepted by the Legislature Leadership
  3. Parliamentary oversight was attempted but derailed by COVID-19
  4. A Ministerial Task Team was formed but dissolved due to the elections

Why This Matters:

  1. Current water production stands at only 20 to 22 MLD, far below the 30 MLD needed
  2. This is a violation of basic human rights, affecting health, hygiene, and livelihoods
  3. The delay benefits a small group at the expense of the wider community

The Democratic Alliance demands that the Minister of Water and Sanitation, as the responsible authority, take urgent inter-ministerial action to resolve this crisis, ensure the powerline is completed, and guarantee a reliable and sufficient water supply to the Umtamvuna region.  Enough is enough.  190,000 people cannot continue to suffer because of political inaction and endless delays.  We demand accountability.  We demand water.  We demand action.

2363 supporters

7637 needed to reach 10000

We, the undersigned residents, urgently call upon the Minister of Water and Sanitation to intervene in the ongoing power supply crisis that continues to deny over 190,000 residents in the Umtamvuna region a consistent and sufficient supply of clean water.

Background of Issue:

  1. Ugu District Municipality’s water treatment plant was set to be upgraded to supply 30 million litres per day to meet the growing needs of the region.  However, insufficient electricity supply from Eskom prevented this upgrade from being implemented
  2. In February 2019, Ugu paid R14 million to ESKOM for the construction of a 17km powerline from the Eastern Cape to supply the plant
  3. Construction was delayed by negotiations with a local community in the Eastern Cape, only reaching agreement in December 2023 after compensation was paid
  4. Although 7km of the line was completed in early 2024, work was halted again by further community demands.  These delays fall under the jurisdiction of the Alfred Nzo Municipality in the Eastern Cape
  5. ESKOM has now warned that if these delays are not resolved by December 2025, the entire project will be cancelled

What the DA has done thus far:

  1. Multiple letters to CoGTA – all unanswered
  2. A community petition was delivered to the KZN Legislature but was not accepted by the Legislature Leadership
  3. Parliamentary oversight was attempted but derailed by COVID-19
  4. A Ministerial Task Team was formed but dissolved due to the elections

Why This Matters:

  1. Current water production stands at only 20 to 22 MLD, far below the 30 MLD needed
  2. This is a violation of basic human rights, affecting health, hygiene, and livelihoods
  3. The delay benefits a small group at the expense of the wider community

The Democratic Alliance demands that the Minister of Water and Sanitation, as the responsible authority, take urgent inter-ministerial action to resolve this crisis, ensure the powerline is completed, and guarantee a reliable and sufficient water supply to the Umtamvuna region.  Enough is enough.  190,000 people cannot continue to suffer because of political inaction and endless delays.  We demand accountability.  We demand water.  We demand action.