Tongaat residents hit hard by crippling service delivery crisis

Frustration is boiling over as Tongaat residents paint a troubling picture of collapsing infrastructure, erratic water supply, unsafe public spaces, and mounting municipal neglect.  

What was once described as a temporary strain following the 2022 floods has, according to some community members, evolved into a full-scale service delivery crisis.

At the centre of the crisis is water: its scarcity, mismanagement, and the deteriorating infrastructure meant to deliver it.

For residents like pensioner Lali Pillay, 63, the crisis is deeply personal. 

Living alone on Venrova Road, she describes repeated flooding caused by blocked and damaged stormwater systems.

“The stormwater drain is on my property. The smashed pipe allows dirt into my yard, which raises the water level and covers my front property. I had to damage a wall and make a hole for the water to drain,” said Pillay. 

Her courtyard regularly floods with a mixture of stormwater and sewage.

She said that despite repeated complaints, the eThekwini Municipality had failed to act.

“I complained so many times. Nobody wants to take action. They come, they look at the problem, and they go. They are not resolving the problem.”

Her frustration is compounded by allegedly unresponsive local leadership.

“Our councillor does not answer calls. I am fed up. I am old and a widow. I have no one to help me. I feel forgotten. I pay my rates but nothing happens.”

In other parts of Tongaat, residents report worsening sanitation issues. 

Faizal Shaik, a 56-year-old resident of Ushukela Drive, said flooding resulted from neglected waterways and sewage leaks. 

He said there was a persistent sewage leak that contaminated the river.

“We get the smell here sometimes. That is a serious health issue.”

Despite years of complaints, he said no meaningful intervention had occurred.

“Nothing has been done to fix the issues. They say they are working on it, but nothing happens.”

He said the lack of river dredging and maintenance had worsened flooding risks, particularly for residents living near the riverbanks.

“When it rains, the smell worsens, the river overflows and water enters our yards. It is terrible.”

Beyond infrastructure, residents are grappling with what they describe as unjustified and crippling water bills.

Allan Hansraj, a 53-year-old Buffelsdale resident, said faulty or missing meters resulted in inflated charges.

“Meters are not working, the water bill is escalating and nobody can sort it out. For some families, the bills range from R80,000 to R100,000. 

"My estimated bill was R28,000. I paid it assuming I would get my money back but that was not the case. Our bills are high even when we do not have water.”

Hansraj warned against signing acknowledgements of debt for disputed amounts.

“How can you sign an acknowledgement of debt when it is not your debt? The municipality does not do its job properly, yet we must pay high bills. Our pensioners cannot afford this. After paying for rent, electricity and water, they lack money for food or medicine.

“For two days every week, we have no water. We have not seen a municipal tanker. Yet, there is a leak just up our road. Water is being wasted while we have none.”

Dinah Perumal, from Plein Street, said elderly people living in Pension Cottages were among the hardest hit by the ongoing water crisis, with basic daily tasks becoming nearly impossible. 

“They have no water but have JoJo tanks. It is difficult for seniors to carry the water. Some of them are frail. How do they get the water?

"With only one access point serving 57 units, many elderly residents must navigate long distances without assistance. 

"Our seniors have a hard time without the water. Every week we lack water, and municipal support is virtually non-existent. We have not seen a municipal tanker. The only recent help was a private tanker, and a bucket drop organised by councillor Yogis Govender.”

Perumal said the pensioners were billed for water they did not receive.

“One resident has a bill of over R100,000. Another bill was R94,000 the first month after installing a water meter." 

She said attempts to resolve these issues had led nowhere. 

"Officials took documents and made promises, but nothing happened so now many residents refuse to pay. What will you pay when the interest exceeds what you can afford? Residents have also pushed back against accepting liability for disputed charges. How can you sign an acknowledgement of debt when it is not your debt? Signing means you accept it as yours, and it is not.”

Perumal said that beyond billing, the rising cost of living left pensioners with impossible choices. 

“After rent, prepaid electricity, gas and water, they do not have money for food or medication. With rentals, utilities and basic needs steadily increasing, the situation has become dire. This is the hardship. The younger ones can make a plan, but it's not fair to our seniors." 

- In Belgate, residents report unsafe public spaces due to overgrown vegetation, poorly-maintained playgrounds, and inadequate lighting. 

Reshma Dandaraj, 48, said: “There are many empty properties in our area. Owners do not take responsibility for them, no matter how many letters we write. There is also an empty plot on Gemstone Drive that has not been cleaned in a long time. 

“It is sad that residents use the plot to illegally dump their rubbish. This causes rodents and snakes to live among us. The trees are overgrown, sewage leaks into homes, and there are potholes. The municipality offers no help. We, the residents, chop the trees and clear the bushes because no one else takes responsibility.

“To add to this, many of our street lights do not work, leaving the roads dark and dangerous. We have been victims of multiple home break-ins recently. Vehicles have been stolen and homes have been robbed. We just want help. Is that so wrong?” said Dandaraj. 

Civic and ratepayer associations 

Bala Pillay, of the Flamingo Heights Civic Association, said ongoing neglect followed the 2022 floods, which claimed four lives.

Pillay, 62, from Flamingo Heights, said that displaced pedestrian bridges remained unrepaired since 2022, lighting was lacking near flood-prone areas, and abandoned infrastructure, like cement pipes, obstructed waterways. 

“The 2022 floods have left some major issues in our area. Now the /// river is not dredged. The municipality installed a new gable, but incorrectly, and it may not stop the flooding from happening again. A plastic pipe blocks the river and stormwater drains are not being cleaned. Even basic services like refuse collection and maintenance are inconsistent." 

- Ikram Sahib, chairperson of the Tongaat Civic and Ratepayers Association, cited the ageing infrastructure and overgrown surroundings near the Tongaat Water Works.

He said pipes often burst due to poor workmanship, and underqualified contractors were sent to repair the infrastructure.

“They give the jobs to the lowest bidding contractors. They do not have the tools to do the job. Additionally, the water system has not evolved to match Tongaat’s growing population." 

He warned that unchecked vegetation and poor river maintenance were narrowing waterways and increasing the flood danger.

“The vegetation at Brake Village is closing in even more, and it is going to cause a major problem. Encroaching bamboo, blocked channels, and inadequate flood defences have left communities vulnerable. If they open it up by maintaining vegetation, the water will run through. This place will be safe.”

- Rachael Naidoo, Secretary of the Tongaat Civic Association, said: “The eThekwini Municipality is experiencing a severe service delivery crisis, characterised by crumbling water and sanitation infrastructure, coupled with financial mismanagement. Civic groups have escalated their response, including submissions to the Human Rights Commission. We have moved from protest action to direct engagement and legal action.”

She said the 2022 floods presented an opportunity to upgrade infrastructure, an opportunity that was missed. 

“We made an impassioned plea to increase output. This was rejected by the municipality. The result is chronic water shortages and a failing system. 

“Tongaat Water Works does not seem to be coping with the required output in terms of the growth experienced in Tongaat over the last 20 years. Infrastructure is an absolute nightmare with EWS embarrassing themselves on a weekly basis with the numbers bursts on the bulk main lines that take water to reservoirs. It has been a 'band-aid' approach.  

“Raw sewage is leaking into streets and rivers, with malfunctioning wastewater treatment works. The eThekwini Municipality is dealing with high water losses, non-revenue water at 52,9%, and accusations of high expenditure on consultants instead of permanent repairs.”

Naidoo said the parks and gardens department had been plagued with resource issues. 

"Some items like brush cutters have been stolen. Contractors only cut the 3-meter verge while all public spaces are now turning into forests. Halls and sporting facilities are in a horrendous state due to poor maintenance. Our crematorium has been non-functional for years, despite millions spent.

“The community of Tongaat has suffered enough. Our local councillors are out of touch with the community. Their excuse that they are not receiving the support from officials for issues like more water tankers, is unacceptable. 

“Councillors are paid to undertake the duties that the Tongaat Civic Association is undertaking free of charge. As the Tongaat Civic Association, we would continue to hold councillors and municipal officials accountable.”

She said they had engaged in a process of constructive engagement and would not hesitate to resort to mass action and legal challenges. 

"The Tongaat Civic Association is 57 years old. We faced the wrath of the apartheid regime with arrests and detention. We are well-versed in the art of community protest and mobilisation," said Naidoo.

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