Community leaders demand reliable water services before any new payment systems are implemented.
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LADYSMITH residents are unanimously rejecting uThukela District Municipality's prepaid water meter initiative, citing persistent water shortages, lack of consultation, and fears of paying for air in pipes.
Community leaders demand reliable water services before any new payment systems are implemented.
Rajendra Maharaj, 57, deputy chairperson of the Ladysmith Civic Association (LCA) and lifelong resident of Acaciavale, said they were not opposed to modernisation but questioned the municipality’s priorities and lack of transparency.
“We are not against prepaid meters, but the many other issues plaguing Ladysmith. The first bone of contention is that a tender was given out to a service provider without any public participation.”
Maharaj said the LCA had requested a live presentation from uThukela to address their concerns, including assurances that air passing through the meters would not consume the purchased tokens.
They also asked for clarity on how free basic water would be allocated to indigent and pensioner households.
“We also asked for the separation of accounts regarding water and sanitation so that residents know exactly what they are paying for. With the current system estimations are being done and we end up paying too much or too little,” he said.
Maharaj said they also endured days on end without water, forcing them to buy drinking water and operate Jojo tank pumps, which significantly increased their electricity bills.
“uThukela is failing the community because of their inability to supply water 24/7. Water is a basic human right, especially those who are paying for it and not getting it. “Before trying to install prepaid meters, uThukela must fix their service delivery issues and ensure every paying household receives uninterrupted water,” said Maharaj.
Businessman Anook Singh, 54, from Rose Park, echoed the same sentiments, warning that prepaid systems could become more costly for residents.
“Prepaid metres will be more expensive. We do not want these metres because our homes do not have a regular flow of water. When the water returns, the meter will be running with air, finishing the units we buy. We will only consider this proposal once our water problems are sorted out,” he said.
Sanjit Jugmohan, 50, from Aloe Park, said: “We do not have water, so why put in new metres?” I live on higher ground and we get water last. When the pressure returns, it will push through the meter and finish all the units before water even reaches our taps."
He said they already face high electricity costs due to running pumps for their Jojo tanks.
“We will fight this fight until they fix our primary water issues."
Ward 20 councillor Abbas Warasally said residents had demanded the project be halted until proper consultation took place.
“We have demanded that the prepaid water metres be put on hold and called for a proper meeting to communicate with residents on how the metres work. They are forcing us to accept prepaid meters, which is wrong.”
Warasally claimed some residents had been threatened with water cuts if they refused to comply.
“The community has vowed to continue resisting the rollout until the municipality addresses the root causes of Ladysmith’s water crisis, irregular supply, inflated tariffs, and lack of accountability in infrastructure spending,” he added.
The uThukela Municipality did not comment at the time of going to print.