Publications
Partners
DEMOCRATIC Alliance (DA) Ugu Constituency Head Rishigen Viranna welcomed the decision to declare Umuziwabantu Municipality a local disaster area, a decision taken by Ugu District Municipality’s Portfolio Committee of Water and Sanitation.
Harding town and surrounding areas were faced with water shortages last month, an issue that the municipality said was due to low water levels at the Harding dam.
Speaking to the Fever on Monday, Viranna said the DA had, at a meeting held at the Ugu District Municipality, proposed a notion to declare Harding a disaster area and the notion was passed last Wednesday.
“Two weeks ago I was in Harding and water levels were very low, and again last week the situation was terrible,” said Viranna, adding that, during an inspection, Harding Dam and Weza River were at 15% water capacity.
“A taxing regime of water restrictions is becoming likely with each passing day for residents in both the municipality’s rural and urban areas. This dire situation compelled the DA to push for a notice of motion to declare Umuziwabantu Local Municipality as a disaster area and such a declaration will enable the municipality to institute disaster management procedures set out in the Disaster Management Act and roll out a water restriction schedule to save water,” he said.
In a statement last week, Ugu District Municipality informed Harding communities about water shortages due to drought. The district municipality further assured the community about alternative supply for people to get water.
