Residents unite to address issues related to the demolition and reconstruction of a refinery

Significant parts of the city of Durban are experiencing prolonged water shortages, forcing residents to rely on water tankers. The most affected areas are the western and southern parts of the city.

City advisor Tabani Ndlovu reported that in the southern districts, such as Umbumbulu, Folweni, Mfumme, eKhahleni, and Umgababa, residents have lived for years without access to water and are heavily dependent on cisterns. He noted that in central areas, water may appear for a day or two before disappearing again. In places like Umlazi and parts of Ntuzuma, water is available, but frequent interruptions can last for several days.

The municipality presented information on steps being taken to resolve the water supply issues. Work on modernizing the R1.2 billion Southern Aqueduct in Chatsworth has been announced. Upon completion, the construction of a 24-kilometer main pipeline will significantly improve and stabilize water supply in the city's southern districts.

Furthermore, the modernization of the Ogunjini Water Treatment Plant will increase water availability for approximately 3,000 households in Ogunjini, including Osindisweni Hospital. Mduduzi Nkosi, head of the trade services department overseeing water supply, confirmed the existence of difficulties but assured that work is underway to resolve the problem.

Nkosi explained that the southern aqueduct required replacement due to its age and potential danger to residents; a leak could damage homes. This single pipeline supplies nearly one million people, and after commissioning, expected by the end of the year, pressure on the supply system will ease.

The scale of the water problems was highlighted by the Department of Cooperation and Traditional Affairs, which announced the dispatch of water tankers to seven municipalities in the province. It was reported that yesterday, Minister of Water and Sanitation Tulasize Butelezi held a meeting with district mayors at the Department of Water and Sanitation offices in Durban. At this strategic meeting, an operational plan was approved to deploy over 20 provincial water tankers to provide immediate assistance to communities suffering from acute water shortages.

The targeted intervention aims to support seven key district municipalities that are currently facing serious service delivery constraints: eMbe District Municipality, uGu District Municipality, Amajuba District Municipality, uThukela District Municipality, Zululand District Municipality, uMzinyathi District Municipality, and uMkhanyakude District Municipality.

As inflation rises, families in Cape Town are forced to cut back on essential goods because the cost of living is outpacing their incomes. The civil rights group STOP COCT has received numerous complaints from residents who are having to economize on food, electricity, medical care, education, and home repairs because their salaries no longer cover monthly expenses.

Sandra Dixon, founder of STOP COCT, calculated that a comfortable life for a family of two adults and two children in Cape Town requires a net monthly income of between 45,000 and 55,000 rand. Dixon noted that residents report to her that their earnings do not cover a full month, forcing them to buy less food, choose cheaper and less nutritious products, reduce electricity consumption, and postpone medical treatment, school fees, and repairs.

Economist Ulrich Jobert emphasized that the official inflation rate published by Statistics South Africa is an average figure and does not reflect the exact financial pressure experienced by every family. He advised households to carefully analyze their budgets, living conditions, and largest monthly expenses to understand how rising prices affect them.

Jobert provided data on price increases: the cost of electricity increased by approximately 9.9%, while water supply and related municipal services rose by almost 7%. Passenger transport costs grew by approximately 12.5%, while fuel costs exceeded this increase by more than 34% compared to the previous year. He noted that this is noticeable for passengers: 'Where it concerns passengers' pockets, transport has become 12.5% more expensive than a year ago. You can clearly see the impact of these prices.'

He added that household expenses heavily depend on the family's location and the tariffs for electricity, water, and sewage set by the municipality. Dixon stressed that transport costs are particularly burdensome because people must continue commuting to work, and children must attend school, regardless of fuel and fare price increases.

Economist Douwe Rudd, founder, director, and chief economist at Efficient Group, stated that inflation leads to the rising cost of goods and services, and the increase in fuel prices has a ripple effect on other prices. He explained that inflation is a process that is not limited only to fuel price increases but entails an increase in the cost of everything else.

Rudd pointed out the imbalance between income and expenditure: salaries are usually adjusted only once a year, whereas the cost of living continues to rise throughout the year. He concluded that due to inflation, people are effectively becoming poorer, especially those in lower socioeconomic strata.

Dixon clarified that her estimate in the range of 45,000 to 55,000 rand is practical, not an official threshold. Families whose children attend former Model C schools may need at least 60,000 rand per month, and depending on the number of children and other expenses, up to 100,000 rand. Jobert agreed that much depends on the place of residence, spending structure, and major budget items.

Rudd estimated that the basic income for survival is about 1,500 rand per person per month, and a more comfortable standard of living may require between 5,000 and 6,000 rand per person, depending on individual circumstances. He expects international oil prices to stabilize and the rand to strengthen over time, but warned that prices tend to rise faster than they fall, calling them 'sticky.'

STOP COCT has also assisted residents struggling with utility bill payments. Some households fell into a vicious cycle where funds withdrawn from prepaid electricity accounts were used to settle debts, leaving them with less energy than they had paid for. Dixon emphasized that financial difficulties are no longer limited to unemployed or extremely poor residents; working and middle-class individuals are increasingly facing problems paying mortgages or rent, transport, groceries, school fees, medical insurance, and utilities. These families often earn too much to qualify for low-income assistance but not enough to offset the constant rise in prices. Dixon called for more affordable public transport, strengthened food security programs, the development of realistic support thresholds for pensioners and low-income earners, and closer monitoring of municipal charges, stating that 'economic growth is necessary, but people need immediate help.'