/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The DA in eThekwini Municipality has written to the Acting City Manager, Mr.Musa Mbhele and the Mayor, Cllr.Mxolisi Kaunda requesting an urgent sit down for a special sitting of the executive committee (view letter here).

This comes after a series of DA oversight visits highlighting the toxic sewers spillages that remain unchecked within the municipality. The latest tragedies befalling the municipality is the reported death of a young mother who became sick after allegedly drinking contaminated water and more large-scale fish kills at the Durban Blue Lagoon.

Numerous beaches have been closed with immediate effect as E.coli levels are at the highest levels ever recorded, sounding alarm bells for residents who might be at risk of contracting water borne diseases and sicknesses.

Attempts to discuss the serious issue at EXCO this morning was not successful due to the fact that the city officials had to urgently attend a parliamentary oversight meeting and further to that the matter was not properly tabled on the EXCO agenda for discussion. Whilst the DA acknowledged the time constraints from the city manager and the mayor today, there is no reason why an urgent sitting cannot be convened this week to deal with an issue that has become a humanitarian and ecological crisis

A formal request via email has been sent to the city manager and the mayor tabling the following for discussion:

• The city’s water crisis, more especially the contamination of drinking water;
• The repairs to our sewer trunk mains and waste water treatment works; water use licenses, spillages into rivers and beaches, closure of beaches, warning signs ;
• Publishing all water testing results, on a weekly basis;
• Emergency Turnaround plan and budget, urgent appeal for national funding and assistance;
• The progress of engineering works, rebuilding and clearing, preventative maintenance;
• Displaced communities and those living in community halls; and
• Communications including call centres and WhatsApp lines.

The DA will be presenting EXCO with their report on findings from the three-day oversight visits and other related matters for investigation and demanding urgent remedial action, to this humanitarian and ecological disaster.

Issued by Councillor Yogiswarie Govender - DA Member of eThekwini Municipality Executive Committee