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The DA in eThekwini welcomes the hands-on approach Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Dean Macpherson. This comes as eThekwini Executive Committee members, Councillor Andre Beetge & Councillor Yogis Govender, accompanied the Minister on a fact-finding oversight inspection of the Lower uMkhomazi water extraction construction site.

The site is one of six (6) projects that seeks to extract water from the uMkhomazi River that will eventually supply 40% of the eThekwini water needs by 2032. The Lower uMkhomazi section is almost midway with completion being touted for mid-2026.

While the prospects of the project are promising however, what is concerning is that residents of Msunduzi are set to foot the bill, through proposed tariffs, for the construction of the scheme, simply because it borders the municipality, while the residents will not benefit from a single drop. We are pleased that Minister Macpherson has expressed his disapproval of this.

Also of serious concern is the ongoing involvement of the so-called construction mafia and other individuals taking advantage of the legislated 30% local employment opportunities through illegal means which included threats and violence.

EThekwini needs water, it needs it fast and it needs it to be affordable.

The DA believes that such visits by the Minister are essential in ensuring that projects remain on track and that obstacles and undue red tape can be removed so that the citizens can enjoy speedy service delivery.

Minister Macpherson's visit also comes in the back of numerous calls for eThekwini to start taking the water supply crisis seriously and ensure that the human rights of the people of eThekwini are once again restored.

Issued by Councillor Yogis Govender - DA eThekwini EXCO Member