The Verulam Water Crisis Committee says that the community remains optimistic that the water issue in the area would be resolved, despite previous failed promises by government.
This after Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu assured the community of Verulam and surrounding areas in the eThekwini Municipality that the water crisis will be resolved before next Thursday.
The committee’s spokesperson Roshan Lil-Ruthan says the water crisis has been going on for three years.
“We’ve been plagued with a water shortage since 2021 and we’ve now through this community engagement and stakeholder meetings with the minister and the human rights council, we’ve been given a plan and the minister has now given a date to the community yesterday, that by 15 February 2024, the residents of Verulam and the surrounding suburbs will get a regular, consistent supply of water. We’re quite excited, however, I made it quite clear to the minister, I won’t hold my breath because we’ve been let down in the past by eThekwini, on many occasions.”
Last week, angry residents of Phoenix, north of Durban, brought the area to a standstill, demanding water from the eThekwini municipality.
They say they haven’t had running water for over two years.
Municipal officials say they met with residents at the weekend to discuss the water crisis.
