Durban residents deem water scarcity as routine

 By Onthatile Mahlangu

Durban residents say they have adapted to endure long periods without water.

Picture by Nithin PA. For Illustration only 

Residents of Durban in KwaZulu Natal, find themselves grappling with yet another episode of water scarcity.

The situation reoccurred on Thursday.

Siyabonga Mnisi a resident, said the absence of water in their area has become a daily ordeal and sadly it is nothing new.

They have adapted to this crisis and accepted the fact that little can be done.

Mnisi said during water outages, they patiently await its eventual return. If they are lucky enough a water truck arrives.

“Going without water for two weeks has become common.”

Conversely, some residents voiced their frustrations at the dire situation.

Phiwokhuhle Duma said the inability to access water deeply frustrates her.

 “It slows down basic activities like personal hygiene and maintaining a clean household," Duma added.

Despite diligently paying water bills, rates, and levies, she feels dissatisfied with the municipality's inability to fulfill this essential need.

Duma emphasized that the municipality must prioritize infrastructure development to mitigate such recurring challenges.

“The frequent lack of water highlights problems with the city's infrastructure.”

Attempts to seek clarification or responses from the eThekwini municipality were unsuccessful at the time of publication.