Vandalism threatens water supply in eThekwini Municipality

THE eThekwini Municipality is grappling with rising vandalism at its water infrastructure facilities, prompting calls for enhanced security measures from local officials and residents.

The municipality’s Water and Sanitation Unit stated that vandalism was being committed on wastewater treatment works, reservoirs, and pump stations, and was costing it millions of rand to repair, depleting budgets in the process and delaying other key infrastructure upgrades.

Concerns and suggestions for additional security were raised during an update on the status of the water supply in the municipality at an Executive Committee (Exco) meeting on Tuesday.

Before the meeting, the municipality stated that the Prospecton Pump Station’s mechanical and electrical panels were damaged by vandals, disrupting water supply to the south Durban areas, including Amanzimtoti.

Amanzimtoti residents also raised concerns on Facebook’s eThekwini Ward 97 forum regarding gates that were left open and unlocked, and also that the hatch covers were left open at the reservoir on Almond Road.

Neighbourhood watch patrols reported this on the three different occasions within a week. Despite reporting it to the municipality, residents stated that not even a lock and chain had been placed on the gate.

Sarel Taljaard, the local AfriForum representative, said the reservoir was a national key point and needed to be protected.

“Three days in a row and at different times, we found it unlocked,” he said.

In December 2025 and again in March 2026, the municipality advised residents to boil tap water due to ongoing water quality concerns in Amanzimtoti and surrounding areas.

Andre Beetge, DA Ward 97 councillor and member of Exco, was furious that the municipality could allow for the repeated vandalism at the Prospecton Pump Station.

Beetge said that the lack of, or diminished security and protection of water and sanitation infrastructure, is neither an isolated nor a new issue.

Beetge revealed that locks are frequently stolen, allegedly by officials or contractors, while hatches are often left open or unsecured by personnel responsible for reservoir monitoring, flow regulation, or routine maintenance, including grass cutting.

“It was further alleged that there are currently no replacement locks available in stores for those that have gone missing – a claim that was not challenged by any of the senior officials present at the meeting,” he said.

Beetge said residents must attend upcoming budget presentations and insist that the municipality allocates sufficient funding toward the protection of water and sanitation infrastructure.

Mdu Nkosi, IFP councillor and Exco member, called for engagements and campaigns to motivate communities to protect municipal infrastructure.

“There are budgetary concerns, and I know the department is trying to put security measures in place. What is conflicting is when a report on the cost of security is presented, then councillors react differently and say we are spending too much,” Nkosi said.

City Manager Musa Mbhele said there is a likely danger of foreign objects entering the system if the municipality does not secure these assets.

“We need to be vigilant and protect municipal infrastructure. The money that we collected from the infrastructure levy should have been used for security upgrades. We must consider our priorities going forward during the budget planning process,” Mbhele said.

Jabulani Mayise, the acting deputy head for the Water and Sanitation Unit, said an internal communique was sent to area supervisors to warn them that regular inspections of the facilities must be done and that gates to reservoirs must remain closed.

eThekwini Deputy Mayor, Councillor Zandile Myeni, and chairperson of the Safety and Emergency Committee, called for intensive community programmes and campaigns designed to help prevent vandalism.