The Venkpac staff with the trucks that deliver water to Tongaat everyday.
Image: Supplied
A BUSINESSMAN who has been delivering water to Tongaat residents for five years, has withdrawn his trucks after threats emerged from a controversial Facebook post accusing him of corruption.
Ricky Naidoo, the owner of Venkpac, said he decision was prompted by fear for the safety of his staff and trucks.
He said the post was from an anonymous person on the "Tongaat and All Original" Facebook group.
The controversy began with a post which complained about ongoing water outages in the area.
“Water is gone off in the village again. Can I ask any Sars officials to investigate these corrupt trucks that are delivering water to Tongaat areas and cut all their petrol claims out, then we will have water in our taps,” the post read.
In a comment under that post, an anonymous user escalated the matter, targeting who described as an “Indian man”.
“Boss this Indian guy is corrupt with eThekweni and most probably Sars too. We need to start revolting and burn these trucks that come.”
Naidoo says the reference was clearly directed at him.
“With immediate effect, Venkpak is withdrawing all of its water delivery trucks from Tongaat due to serious threats made against the lives of drivers on the Tongaat and All Original Facebook Page,” Naidoo said in an official notice issued shortly after the post surfaced.
“These threats against an Indian man delivering water to Tongaat (which we all know to be Ricky Naidoo) include incitement to violence and calls to burn water trucks, placing drivers in immediate danger. The safety of our teams cannot be compromised,” the statement read.
Naidoo confirmed all his trucks had been diverted to Verulam and Phoenix.
“All trucks will now be diverted to Verulam and Phoenix, where their services are respected and appreciated. Residents of Tongaat are requested to direct all water assistance queries to the admins of Tongaat and All Original, who allowed such comments to be posted despite the clear incitement to violence,” he said.
“Venkpak will only return to Tongaat once the group admins point out who the perpetrators are. It is the responsibility of the admins to provide this information to the public of Tongaat who are now ultimately being affected by this post.”
Speaking to the POST, Naidoo said he received the threatening message on Monday while his trucks were already out delivering water.
“I am only trying to help the Tongaat community. When I received the message at 9pm on Monday, my trucks were already delivering water to the different areas. I decided to pull them out of the fear of something happening to my drivers and trucks,” he said.
He believed the comment might have been posted by someone with a personal grievance.
“I have a feeling who it might be who wrote the comment. He dislikes me. They posted it anonymously. I have been removed from the Tongaat and All group so I could not even defend myself.”
Naidoo strongly denied any allegations of corruption or ties to the municipality.
“Their accusations are completely untrue. I have no dealings or contracts with the municipality to deliver water. I do it entirely with my own money. I receive no money to help anyone,” he said.
He said his involvement in Tongaat intensified following the devastating 2022 floods.
“I have been helping for the last five years, more so after the 2022 floods. I am in Tongaat full time, helping the people and being present,” he said.
Ricky Naidoo.
Image: Supplied
According to Naidoo, the fallout from the Facebook post had distressed residents, as many relied on the privately-funded water deliveries.
“People are in an uproar today. Sadly, the community suffers because of someone else’s accusations. The truth is I am scared to send my trucks there, in the fear they would be set alight. It is a serious threat.”
An emotional Naidoo said he felt betrayed after years of service to the community.
“I am very upset. I only try to help the people, but I am targeted. The water I deliver is completely at my cost, from paying for the water, to delivering it.”
He said his contributions to Tongaat over the years amounted to approximately R25 million.
“I have spent some R25 million in Tongaat, helping during the floods, tornado and water issues. When people need help, they call me and I always help. I clean the areas, help pension cottages and even deliver medication – but this is the thanks I get.”
Naidoo described himself as one of the area’s largest private supporters.
“I am Tongaat’s biggest sponsor, and have been through everything with them. I care for these people. I chose to help Tongaat after I saw the suffering during the 2022 floods. This town is beautiful, but unfortunately not maintained. They receive no help, so I decided to step in.”
He confirmed he would take legal action.
“I will be opening cases of cybercrime and intent to cause harm at the Tongaat SAPS,” he said.
Meanwhile, community members have reportedly begun rallying to identify the anonymous commenter, amid growing concern over the immediate impact of the truck withdrawal.
Until the matter is resolved and those responsible are identified, Naidoo maintains that his trucks will remain out of Tongaat indefinitely, leaving residents to grapple with yet another disruption in water supply.