Eastern Cape residents in standoff with KZN govt over river bordering both provinces

Parliament has been asked to intervene as tensions brew between Eastern Cape residents and the KwaZulu-Natal-based Ugu District Municipality over the uMtamvuna River,which straddles both provinces.

Octavian LazarGetty Images

Parliament has been asked to intervene as tensions brew between Eastern Cape residents and the KwaZulu-Natal-based Ugu District Municipality over the uMtamvuna River,which straddles both provinces.

A R1.8-billion water project featuring the river is under way in the area.

Ugu Mayor Sikhumbuzo Issac Mqadi broached the issue with MPs during an oversight meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs this week.

He said the project had stalled due to Eastern Cape residents’ fears that the water source would be redirected from their land to the neighbouring province.

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“With regards to the Eastern Cape project,we’re still dealing with that one,but we also would want to request the committee to assist us with that one,” Mqadi said.

He said there was a meeting on 23 January,in which government officials attempted to unblock the project,which is 64 percent complete.

“The community of the Eastern Cape has decided to block the project because they say the project is going to benefit Ugu across uMtamvuna. They don’t have water. It’s their way of protesting. We request the committee to assist us on that one.”

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In a statement last year,Mqadi announced that the river project was in its final phase and that Eskom had begun a scheduled shutdown at the uMtamvuna pump station to facilitate the connection of a temporary 2.3MVA power supply.

However,according to a report tabled by Mqadi this week,the water project’s mechanical and electrical components require an overhaul.