15/10/2026
Media Statement
15 October 2026
UTHUKELA DISTRICT HOLDS SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS ON WATER ISSUES
The leadership of UThukela District Municipality led by Deputy Mayor, Cllr Mbuzeleni Mkhize and management led by Municipal Manager, Mr Langelihle Jili as well as his technical team held two separate community meetings in Ezakheni and St Chad’s. The main purpose was to address ongoing water supply disruptions, aging infrastructure, and reservoir upgrade plans. These meetings form part of the municipality’s effort to account to its relevant stakeholders on the services of water and sanitation.
The municipality was also able to share their plans which are tailored to finding a lasting solution to the water supply disruptions at Ezakheni water works which were compounded by broken pumps. Cllr Zwane said they last met with UThukela on Monday to lodge their complaint on water shortages in Ezakheni and surrounding areas. “Our task was to get the leadership and management of UThukela District to address the community on persistent water shortages. We need to work together in order to find a lasting solution on this issue”, he said.
He added that it is not the first time that they talk about the issue of water supply. According to Cllr Zwane, some people have been without water for more than three to nine months. “This is totally unacceptable and unfortunate. We need to see tangible results from this meeting going forward”, said Cllr Zwane. The Deputy Mayor, Cllr Mkhize started by apologising to the community for not honouring the meeting that was supposed to happen between UThukela and the community on Tuesday. He reminded the community that UThukela is mandated to supply uninterrupted water to the community at all times.
“As the water authority, it is the responsibility of UThukela to provide water services to the community. We hope that our meeting with you will bring about positive outcomes. Our being here is to tell the truth and being honest and realistic about what will happen in next days in relation to this situation”, said Deputy Mayor Mkhize. He also emphasised that Watersmeet tankers are just a temporary measure and not a permanent solution.
Cllr Mkhize pleaded with the community to bear with them and allow water tankers to distribute water while they are still trying to find a solution. He said they are also aware that schools have been negatively impacted by water shortages. The Deputy Mayor then touched on water tankers who are allegedly used for political gains which, according to him, is totally wrong if that is true. He said that they are in the process to draw up the roster to ensure that water tankers stick to their scheduled routes for both Ezakheni and St Chad’s as well as other areas.
Municipal Manager, Mr Jili told the community that they have already started to speed up the issue of pumps in Ezakheni water works. The plant is pumping more than what it was originally designed for. This is due to the ever increasing demand from the larger population. He assured the residents that four pumps have already been delivered at the plant and are currently in the process of being installed. These pumps are like-for-like and therefore should not take too much time to reinstall and operate.
“This will take up to 4-5 hours to install. Then we will start with the process of pumping water up into the reservoirs. This could take up to two days to complete. Then on Saturday afternoon people can expect to receive water back to normal supply,” Jili said. It was clear that the community only wanted water to come through their taps and not by means of water tankers.
The municipality is determined to ensure a prompt restoration of water supply to all affected areas which are supplied by the Ezakheni water works. And while tangible interventions are in progress, relief water supply to the affected areas will continue to be supplied through the water tankers which have been strategically placed around the UThukela District Municipality. The community will be updated on a regular basis with current developments accompanied by relevant pictures.
-ends
Issued by: Jabulani Mkhonza
Communications Manager
UThukela District Municipality
Cell: 072 175 5650
For enquiries:
S Masoka
Cell: 072 623 9171
