15 April 2024
A stakeholder high level engagement meeting was held between UMDM and uMgeni-uThukela Water today. The District Mayor Cllr Mzi Zuma led the delegation comprised of the Speaker Cllr N Gabela, Council Whip Cllr S Majozi, Acting Municipal Manager Dr X Muthwa, HOD Technical Services Mr J Dlamini and CFO Mr V Kunene.
The Mayor outlined the purpose of the engagement , which was for the UMDM leadership to be apprised on progress regarding water supply projects within the District that UMgeni uThukela Water was busy with, and to deliberate on any related issues that may be challenges in the execution of the projects.
The entity then made a presentation to cover all projects that are either underway or at at initial stages.
The report was welcomed by the leadership, and progress was acknowledged. What raised a bit of a concern was that the Mpophomeni Water treatment plant which was due to be completed in Mach, will now be completed in June. This was due to contractual issues between the contractor and uMgeni-uThukelaWater.
Whilst the medium to long term solutions were much appreciated by the leadership, the Mayor raised a need for short term solutions in hotspot areas. Nxamalala said “The situation In some areas is hostile and volatile. Maqongqo, Ndaleni and Haza/ Mpophomeni areas, need short term solutions, whilst mid and long term solutions are ongoing. The two teams need to come together, wear their thinking caps and come up with solutions to present to the leadership”. This master was resolved as such and a follow up meeting will take place on Monday the 22nd of April.
The Mayor also raised concern regarding the tariff increase, saying that considerations must be made for the entity and the Municipality to find middle ground. “We are a Municipality that is by and large rural, and therefore do not have a revenue base that eThekwini has, or Msunduzi for that matter. Unemployment rate in the District sits at 34%, and more than 60% of the people live below the poverty line,“ said the Mayor. “When we assumed office in 2021, the indigent register had 1500 beneficiaries, and we had 10 000 by June last year. This matter therefore requires that we have an engagement regarding the tariff “ concluded the Mayor.