By Sihle Mavuso
The University of Zululand in northern KwaZulu-Natal has suspended lessons at its Dlangezwa campus due to a water crisis.
The suspension kicked in on Wednesday and will run until Friday, the university announced.
The university said this is a result of a water crisis in the parts of the IFP-led City of Umhlathuze (Richards Bay-Empangeni).
The university said in a statement that they took the decision because of the ongoing water crisis.
“The municipality has made efforts to address the situation by delivering water to the campus in the morning and the evening, however, given the current conditions, it is evident that conducting academic activities would not be feasible or conducive for effective learning,” they said.
The suspension would affect upcoming tests and normal learning would resume on Monday, 18 March.
The water crisis has not only affected the university and the two townships. It has also affected the local Phaphamani clinic where its reservoir has run dry.
As a result, the clinic is now limiting its attendance to mothers who are giving birth and serving patients with injuries.
The municipality acknowledged that it is battling a water challenge in Dlangezwa and eSikhawini/Esikhaleni and it was working on restoring the service.
“The ongoing challenges stem from a 600-metre water pipeline leak that occurred on Sunday,” the municipality said.
“Additionally, there is a valve-related issue within the Dlangezwa water reticulation network that has been identified and is currently being addressed.”
They said their team has responded to the situation and is working to resolve the problems.
Pictured above: University of Zululand.
Image source: University of Zululand
