Nelspruit - Major maintenance work on the uSuthu water supply network in Mpumalanga had been postponed, the DA said on Monday.
“No reasons were given. They don't have a definite date (when) it will start,” Democratic Alliance MPL Bosman Grobler said.
Residents of Kriel and Thubelihle had expected the outage to start on Monday and last until October 17. They were informed on Saturday that the long-planned maintenance would not start on Monday.
“The DA is aware of elderly residents who decided to take a three-week holiday in order not to have to live carrying buckets of water around. Because of the late announcement, the risk is now real that these residents might return and be in the middle of the dry-tap period.”
The DA expressed concern about the costs the Emalahleni municipality would incur as a result of the postponement.
“There is a huge cost implication to move the 40 water tanks into storage again as well as the cancellation fee on the 20 moving water tankers.
“The DA is concerned about the fact that the Emalahleni municipality, which is already short on funds and capacity, has now wasted valuable resources and time, just to have the plans postponed.”
The municipality could not immediately be reached for comment.
Sapa