Water woes further stricken Durban economy

25 January 2024

As Durban staggers into another year of water cuts - business and residential sentiment appears to have taken a substantial dive, with informal research and engagement with local businesses and residents revealing an anticipated desire by many to uproot and leave the crippled ANC-run eThekwini.

Manufacturing, health care, the food industry and small business have been hard hit by almost two years of intermittent water cuts and empty reservoirs. Several protests this week have also shown the sheer frustration of residents - some of whom have not had piped water for almost 100 days. Approximately one million Durban residents are affected by the crisis.

Business districts in Tongaat, Verulam, Umhlanga, Phoenix and Durban North have not only borne the brunt of load shedding, but now have to contend with constant water cuts. This comes in the wake of a bumper tourism season in the DA-run Western Cape - while Durban beaches were awash in sewerage.

The DA has repeatedly stated that placing the failing eThekwini Municipality under competent administration and firing the Head of eThekwini Water, Ednick Msweli, will be its first order of business if elected into government come May 2024.

Durban’s local economy and residents can no longer suffer in an environment that has been destroyed by 30 years of lacklustre ANC governance. Water is not a luxury granted to citizens by the ANC. It is a fundamental right.

The ostrich approach by Msweli and eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda over the ongoing water crisis is a shocking dereliction of duty and must be punished at the polls. The DA urges citizens to stand with it in 2024 as we prepare to reverse the rot.

Issued by Heinz de Boer, DA KZN Spokesperson on EDTEA, 25 January 2024