By Celani Sikhakhane
The community of Ramaphosa settlements near Newcastle stoned their mayor, Prince Ndabuko Zulu of the Onkweni Royal House, because they did not have water.
This happened a year ago, and this week the Amajuba district municipality handed over a R178-million water project in Dannhauser, from which 10,000 residents will benefit.
Prince Ndabuko said on Thursday that the incident pressured him to find the money to upgrade the water infrastructure.
“I will never forget the day they almost killed me with stones. I had to go for counselling after that incident,” he said.
“The biggest pain was that I suffered for the sins of the criminals from this community who were stealing copper cables and destroying water infrastructure.”
Prince Ndabuko told the community that the water project would take two years to complete and would create over 50 jobs for community members.
Resident Richard Zungu said they threw stones at Prince Ndabuko because they were frustrated about the water shortage.
“We are glad that our fight didn’t go unnoticed because here today is the project that has been officially announced. It is already underway because it started in January this year,” said Zungu.
“As communities, we are determined to fight those criminals who are destroying our water infrastructure and report them to the police because we have suffered a lot.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa intervened in the water crisis, calling for the Special Investigating Unit to investigate alleged corruption in water projects.
Pictured above: Amajuba district mayor Prince Ndabuko Zulu of the Onkweni Royal House and his executive during the official launch of the R178-million water project.
Image source: Celani Sikhakhane
