Leaking water meters.
Image: Supplied
RESIDENTS of KwaDukuza have expressed their frustrations over persistent water outages and inadequate infrastructure repairs, as they look towards the 2026 local government elections for potential change.
The town falls under two municipalities: the KwaDukuza Local Municipality, which is tasked with providing essential services, and the iLembe District Municipality, responsible for water supply and sanitation.
Many residents feel that both entities are failing to meet their obligations.
Dev Nundall, 65, said a bridge that residents had used to enter and exit the area was damaged during the heavy rains in January 2024, and had yet to be repaired.
“It used to be a two-way bridge. Due to the damage, only one side can be used. We have already had four accidents. Each time we questioned the KwaDukuza Municipality about when it was going to be repaired, we were told it would get done. It is now over two years later. The latest feedback we received was that R5 million was allocated to fix the bridge. But we want to know when the repairs will start.
“Our fear is that the bridge may collapse the next time there are heavy rains. How will we leave the area? What if someone is travelling on the bridge and it collapses? Heavy-duty vehicles, such as the bin trucks, also use the bridge.
“Our power supply cable running along the bridge has been left exposed. There have been cable theft attempts. If that has to happen, we will probably be left in darkness for a long time,” he said.
Unkempt trees and bushes on the side of the road.
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Nundall, who is a community activist living in the area for the past 42 years, said some of the residents were also affected by the sewer stench.
“A few years ago, the iLembe District Municipality installed a new sewer line, but it was not connected to the old line. The sewer now runs into a stream. There are houses situated along the stream. The municipality sprays chemicals in the stream, which is a quick fix, because within a week, the stench of the sewer returns. Imagine trying to eat your lunch or supper while breathing in that stench.”
Nundall said other basic service delivery failures included the trimming of trees.
“For the past three years, I have been asking the KwaDukuza Municipality’s parks and gardens department to trim the trees, which are now blocking the cameras we installed for safety reasons. Every time, it is a different story – either the machinery is broken or we are told ‘next week’. The only good thing is that they cut the grass once a month.”
Nundall said he would vote.
“I will vote because it is the only way we can hopefully see change. We have to think wisely when we choose who will represent us, as we cannot continue to make appeals that keep falling on deaf ears.”
The speed hump that is broken on a main road in Glenhills.
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Omesh Maharaj, 62, said for more than a decade residents had been faced with water outages.
He said it had worsened in recent years.
Maharaj has lived in the area for the past 34 years.
“When my family and I moved into Glenhills, it was a newly-developed area, mainly for lower-income people. However, we never had service delivery issues as we do now. One of the major challenges is water outages, often without warning.
“A few years ago, our water stopped around 5am and returned at 9am. However, starting in 2022, we went without water for sometimes the entire day. There came a point when we were without water for up to a week, or longer. To date, we still have outages. I had to get three tanks – two of which is filled with rain and the other with municipal water which I am paying for. Sadly, we continue to report this, but nothing changes,” he said.
Maharaj said the roads were also in a poor condition.
“There are several potholes which have not been fixed. Our main road was resurfaced about two years ago after we reported that it was sinking. Due to the poor workmanship, within two months it was back to its poor state.
“We also have a broken speed hump, which is a real hazard. Taxis try to avoid the speed hump and drive on the broken side. There have been times when I had to brake hard to avoid a collision. When we ask when it will be repaired, we are told there is no budget. So why are we paying our rates?”
Maharaj said while he was hesitant, he would still vote.
“When elections are near, my wife and I always question why we should vote, as nothing good will come of it. But then, we still vote because we also want to see change, and voting gives us the right to voice our concerns on service delivery. We have the right to hold those in power to account. Right now, I believe there is a need for a change in power. Maybe we will then see a difference and get better service delivery.”
Highridge residents, Dev Nundall, left, and Ashe Sukdev, show the damaged bridge.
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Reshma Ishwerparsad, 37, said water leaks were an ongoing issue.
“There is clean water flowing down the streets due to water leaks from the meters. What is most frustrating is the response time after we report a leak. We wait hours for it to be repaired after thousands of litres are wasted.”
Ishwerparsad, who has lived in the area for the past 17 years, said infrastructure such as manholes were damaged or blocked.
“There are times when sewage overflows on the roads. You can barely breathe. It is also unhygienic. There are also bushes that are spilling on to the roads which is a safety hazard,” she said.
Ishwerparsad, who will vote, said she hoped for change.
“It is time that more competent people be put into power, as we are ratepayers and entitled to better services.”
A damaged and blocked manhole
Image: Supplied
Jack Nirahu, 54, said his area was also affected with ongoing water outages.
“We have been forced to depend on the water we fill in buckets. Every day the water is shut off around 9pm and returns in the morning. But by the time it reaches residents, we are already leaving for work or the children for school. We have to heat water in a pot to bathe. It causes a strain on families because as soon as you get home, you have to start filling up the buckets.
“However, the higher-lying areas have to depend on gravity to get water. Sometimes, the water just drips out of the tap. This water issue is progressively becoming worse,” he said.
Nirahu, who has lived in the area for the past two decades, said he would vote.
“We want change – where people who are put into power must be capable of doing their job and ensure that services to the community members paying their rates get what they are entitled to. We don’t want people who only intend on looting and stealing from the municipality, but will take that same ratepayers' money and reinvest it to uplift the community.”
A damaged road in Stanger Manor.
Image: Supplied
Brenitha Gokulpersad, 38, said their greatest challenge was the poor road condition since 2022.
“Our roads are in a terrible state. One of the roads was severely damaged during the floods in 2022. We are still waiting for it to be permanently repaired. In October 2023, more than a year after the road was damaged, it was finally repaired, or so we thought. We enjoyed using a tarred road for all of three months.
“In January 2024, after heavy rains, the road washed away again. We did not get assistance from the KwaDukuza Municipality again, and the community got together to fill the road with sand just so it could be accessible for us to get to work. After it washed away again, the municipality brought a truck load of sand, and promised to fix it. It never happened.
“In early 2025, I attended a budget meeting and saw that no funds were allocated to repair the road in Primrose Street, which was greatly affected. I informed them that it needed to be fixed, and it was added. But to date, no repairs have started. The residents, at their own cost have to get sand and pay people to put it on the road. But when it rains, we are back to square one. It has become a nightmare to leave our homes,” she said.
Gokulpersad said she would vote.
“I want to see a change for the better. We can no longer live in these conditions.”
Both municipalities did not respond at the time of publication.