Celani Sikhakhane
The water shortage in uThukela district in KwaZulu-Natal has resulted in drivers of water tankers being mobbed and attacked by desperate residents.
Community members are reportedly hijacking water tankers and stealing their water.
On Saturday, driver Bhekithemba Majola and his assistant Sifiso Mtshali were attacked and pelted with stones at Mhlumayo in kwaJindi, while they were on their way to deliver water elsewhere.
Majola told Scrolla.Africa that he was lucky to get out alive.
“It was a nightmare that I won’t forget soon,” he said.
He said they were travelling to kwaSomsuka from Ladysmith to deliver water when they were stopped by a group of people barricading the road in eMachibini village.
“We changed our route and took a gravel road but they saw us and chased us with a taxi,” said Majola.
He said they were stopped by a group of women with big empty buckets who wanted water.
“The women demanded that we give them water, which we did. That’s when the other group found us and attacked us. They damaged the truck windscreen with stones, chasing us away from the truck before taking the water,” he said.
The drivers never made it to kwaSomsuka and are now afraid to deliver water anywhere as they are a target for desperate communities.
Community leader Mthokozisi Sithole of Siyayijikalento Foundation said attackers are hijacking the tankers and stealing the water to sell.
He said intervention is urgently needed. Chairperson for Water and Sanitation at uThukela District, Mthokozisi Khoza, said that they are aware of the incidents and that those were criminals and not necessarily community members.
He said they are planning to open cases with the police.
Police spokesperson Constable Thenjiwe Ngcobo said police are investigating a case of assault and property damage.
The water crisis in uThukela has been ongoing for the last five years. Water services have been consistently underfunded, and in July this year the SA Human Rights Commission called for an inquiry into the water shortage.
