Ugu district residents meet COGTA MEC after blocking N2 freeway

Ugu district residents made headlines in the past week when they closed the N2 freeway because of lack of service delivery, which soon turned into a looting spree.

On Tuesday, 30 March 2021, KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Sipho Hlomuka led a delegation consisting of municipal and provincial government officials.

Hlomuka addressed Ugu residents on the steps that are being taken to resolve service delivery challenges within the district.

KZN COGTA MEC MEETS WITH UGU DISTRICT RESIDENTS

KZN CoGTA spokesperson, Senzelwe Mzila said that today’s visit provided an opportunity for the MEC to give feedback on the steps being taken to address service delivery challenges. “Chief amongst their grievances has been the unavailability of water and the poor state of the roads.

Hlomuka met with the communities of KwaMadlala – Ward 14, Maygog – Wards 13, and 15 and Ezinqoleni Ward 32 under the Ray Nkonyeni local municipality. In this engagement, Hlomuka with the support of the Ugu District Mayor Cllr Ngcobo and the Mayor of the Ray Nkonyeni municipality Cllr Mqwebu set out steps that are being taken by the municipalities with the support of the provincial government to address service delivery issues in the district,” Mzila said.

PLANS TO ADDRESS SERVICE DELIVERY CHALLENGES

Currently, the district is implementing a number of interventions that are both short and long term. These include:

• Connecting to the Eastern Cape’s power supply which will allow for more water to be extracted from the Umthavuna River for purification and distribution to Ezingolweni, KwaXolo and Southbroom. This project is fully funded by Cogta to the tune of R14-million and is being implemented with Eskom. 

• Upgrade of the KwaXolo Bulk water supply scheme which is being implemented to increase supply to KwaXolo and Izingolweni network.

• Exploration of ground water systems (boreholes and springs) to augment the inadequate bulk capacity of the Bhobhoyi Northern system

• Supply of water on a rotational basis with the prior communication of schedules to ensure that communities are kept abreast consistently.

• Bulk Water Supply to be augmented through the Mhlabashane Supply Scheme based on agreement with Umgeni Water to increase production capacity to 7.0 Ml/day in Louisiana and Maygong areas and the KwaMadlala Pump station upgrade.

Mzila added that in the long term, the national Department of Water and Sanitation has commissioned the construction of Cwabeni Dam which will further alleviate the pressure. The project is due for completion in 2023.

“In the meantime, the delivery of water through tankering is being enhanced to maximise the efficiency thereof. In some of the areas, static tanks are being added at strategic points to ensure regular water provision. Hlomuka has pledged his department’s readiness to monitor the implementation of these measures.

On the roads matter, the provincial government will be appointing a contractor who will upgrade some of the roads,” Mzila said.

READ: Watch: N2 freeway protests latest, residents demand water, jobs