After much speculation as to whether or not the coast’s recent lack of water was due to sabotage, a case of vandalism has now been opened by Ugu District Municipality.

Municipal manager DD Naidoo confirmed that a criminal case was opened last Wednesday after it was found that there was ‘unauthorised interference’ with the South Coast’s water system.

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Mr Naidoo said much of Ugu’s infrastructure was being vandalised, but that the priority crimes provincial task team had begun investigating.

He would not be drawn on possible suspects, saying only it was up to the task team to determine who was guilty.
He apologised to everyone who had been affected by the crisis, saying they had ‘every right to be angry’.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Willies Mchunu, the heads of treasury and water services and Ugu officials met last Friday in an attempt to come up with workable solutions to the ongoing water problems.
Mr Naidoo added they would use whatever resources they had to ensure there were no major disruptions to Ugu’s water services in the future.

DA on Ugu
Meanwhile, the DA Ugu South Constituency says it has finalised a more aggressive action plan against Ugu.
In a statement, constituency head, Dr Rishigen Viranna called for Ugu to be placed under administration in accordance with section 139 (1)(b) of the constitution.

The DA also planned to write to the South African Human Rights Commission, asking for Ugu leaders to be investigated for their role in violating residents’ rights to dignity and access to sufficient water.

According to Dr Viranna, the DA says it will also be writing to the public protector to investigate continuous mismanagement of administration processes.

Source: South Coast Herald