Latest news with #Endumeni
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Eskom debt is strangling Endumeni, warns Chamber
The Endumeni Chamber of Commerce meeting last week laid bare the township's deepening woes, as members heard that Eskom debt has ballooned to R294 million despite a repayment agreement. The municipality is now paying R1.8 million a month simply to cover arrears and current costs—yet Eskom still flags Endumeni as a high risk, warning of possible load shedding. 'They do not budget properly,' said newly elected Chamber president Alan Schonken, adding that infrastructure maintenance should account for 8% of the capital budget but typically sits just above 3%. Hence, the perpetual battle with poor roads and failing streetlights. Former councillor Anthon Raubenheimer pointed out that three years ago, Endumeni had no Eskom debt, but now finds itself in turmoil. Raubenheimer also criticised the outdated municipal website and residents' inability to comment on the 2025/26 draft budget, which must be passed imminently. Paul Coetser warned of collapsing sewage systems—an Umzinyathi District responsibility—calling the leaks a 'doomsday warning' that makes living and doing business in Endumeni unpleasant. Meanwhile, Pam McFadden of Talana Museum cautioned about 17 new mining applications, describing them as the start of fracking that could jeopardise groundwater supplies. Members lamented the absence of Endumeni and Umzinyathi councillors at Chamber meetings. 'The only recourse is to petition higher authorities,' one member declared, urging collective action to pull the municipality back from the brink of total collapse.' HAVE YOUR SAY: Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
25-04-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
Endumeni puts in place temporary shelter effort to help those affected by heavy rain
Endumeni puts in place temporary shelter effort to help those affected by heavy rain Endumeni's Disaster Management Team responded swiftly to the widespread damage caused by the recent heavy rains – 179mm of rain was measured in April, breaking the 1903 record of 157mm. The unusually heavy autumn rains follow the incessant summer rains that have left many areas underwater. Four houses collapsed in Dlamini Village while extensive damage was also done to the cemeteries in Sithembile. 'These will be closed for a while. Those burying loved ones will have to use the Burnside Road cemetery until further notice,' said Phumlani Ntombela, Endumeni's disaster manager. The team also assisted families whose homes crumbled amid the weather onslaught. 'This is part of our new Disaster Homeless Interim intervention initiative. While waiting for the Department of Human Settlements to build houses for those affected, we have implemented a pilot project where wooden homes (Wendy houses) were erected in two days to at least give the families shelter,' Ntombela explained. 'However, we recognised the risk these homes also pose – so now we are looking at palisade-type homes to improve their shelter. 'For now, the wooden structures are better than the small tents that were previously given to storm victims.' Families who were left homeless in the storm expressed their thanks to Council Speaker Andile Nsibande, who handed over their temporary homes. HAVE YOUR SAY: Like our Facebook page, follow us on X and Instagram or email us at Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
24-04-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Umzinyathi to hike water tariffs in a bid to rise to numerous challenges
There will be a 17% hike in the water tariff when Umzinyathi District Municipality's budget comes into effect in July. This was said at Umzinyathi District Municipality's IDP/Budget meeting on April 1 at the Moth Hall in Dundee, where community members and officials gathered. The meeting was addressed by the local mayors, including Endumeni Councillor AM Mkhize and Umzinyathi's acting mayor, Councillor TH Mchunu. This meeting was the first of four planned consultations across the district, with additional sessions set to take place in Nquthu, Msinga and Umvoti. The purpose of the meeting was to provide the community with an update on the district's budget plan and to discuss improvements in service delivery. One key area of focus was the growing population in the Umzinyathi District, which now stands at 649,261. Among the concerns raised during the discussions were issues related to water and sanitation, particularly in rural areas. Many attendees emphasised the urgent need to repair and replace outdated water pipes, drainage pipes and sewerage infrastructure, which have been causing ongoing problems such as burst pipes and overflowing sewage, particularly in the Marikana, Glencoe area. The district municipality is reliant on government grants to make it viable, with these grants totalling R562 million in the next financial year (with over R300 million going to water and sanitation upgrades and projects) but no work allocated for Dundee and Glencoe, where residents earlier this year marched on the Princess Magogo building to express their anger over extended water cuts, effluent pollution and a lack of infrastructural maintenance. The total operating budget is R694 million, with about 43% of this going to salaries, which is well above the government standard of around 35%. Despite a huge slice of the budget going to salaries, one of the challenges listed by Umzinyathi District Municipality is 'a shortage of staff', which has been impacted by 'a cost-cutting strategy'. It was also admitted that faulty water meters and a poor billing system have affected revenue collection, as has illegal connections and an ageing water infrastructure that has led to massive leaks and wastage. It was also heard at the meeting that more 'will be done to solicit funding from NGOs and provincial departments and seek partnerships with private funders'. HAVE YOUR SAY: Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
