Latest news with #RemonaMcKenzie
The Citizen
11-07-2025
- The Citizen
Community leaders call for empathy towards homeless
WITH an escalating number of the homeless invading surrounding suburbs, residents share the pain and understanding, while on the other hand criminal activities and other unsavoury elements come as a result of the new 'residents'. One resident in Musgrave bemoaned, 'As a resident deeply invested in making our area safe, clean, and beautiful, I am concerned by the pressing issue of homelessness in Musgrave and its surroundings. While I understand that compassion and empathy are essential in addressing this complex problem, we must find a solution that benefits both the homeless and our community. The current situation is dire. Despite CSW's efforts to clean up the area, the homeless continue to return, causing havoc and negatively impacting our community. 'We have encouraged the public not to feed or give money to these individuals, as it is often used to fund their drug habits,' she claimed. 'The Sydenham Bridge pathways are a particular challenge. The homeless are using the area for urination and defecation, leaving behind a trail of filth and creating an eyesore.' Also read: 'Permanent solution needed to eThekwini homeless crisis' She added, 'The current cleaning schedule is insufficient, and I have witnessed firsthand the conditions on the bridge. The infestation of hundreds of cockroaches and rats is a serious health and safety concern to the public that requires immediate attention.' The community is reportedly working with the Ward councillor, Remona McKenzie, and committee member Dees Ahmed, and security companies, together with the CPF and Durban Metro, to relocate the homeless to shelters where they can receive attention. The efforts will soon focus on the robots at the corner of Overport Drive and Essenwood Road/St Thomas Road and other points. Councillor McKenzie shared, 'Homelessness is a complex issue that demands empathy, understanding, and effective intervention. While many individuals experiencing homelessness face unimaginable hardship, from unemployment to mental health struggles, there is a pressing need to address the rise in criminal activities that sometimes accompany this crisis, particularly copper theft, robbery, house break-ins and others. Also read: Glenwood groups urge mayor to act on increasing crime, homelessness 'These crimes not only damage essential infrastructure, causing blackouts, water outages, and financial loss, but they also heighten public fear and reduce trust between community members. Left unaddressed, such actions risk undermining efforts to support those in genuine need. 'While we have support systems, such as shelters, rehabilitation programmes, mental health resources, and employment initiatives, it's equally important to confront criminal behaviour that compromises the safety and security of our residents. Ignoring these issues in the name of compassion does a disservice to all: to the vulnerable in need of real help, and to the communities striving to protect what they've built.' She highlighted that there is a blame shift mentality regarding who should address this crisis, instead of a united approach, insisting that there is a need to move the homeless to the shelters where they will receive assistance, and also address the criminal activities that come with the clean-up operations. For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
22-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
Residents of Sydenham flats face ongoing water supply crisis since December
Ward councillor Remona McKenzie said residents of Durban have been deprived of consistent access to water. Since December 2024, residents living in high-rise blocks of flats in Sydenham have not been receiving a regular supply of water to their taps. Image: Zainul Dawood Approximately 320 flats have been affected by intermittent water outages in the Sydenham area, with residents having to carry buckets of water up flights of stairs since December. The high-rise buildings of Sydenham Manor on Crouch Road, Sydenham Heights A Block, on Rippon Road, and Aslam Heights on Randles Road are most affected by the water outages. Leanne Lupke, a resident, said the water issue has become frequent and worse since December, which she heard was due to water pressure in the pipelines. Lupke stated that residents were uncertain about when the water supply would return to the taps.. If it does, she said, the supply only lasts a few hours or does not reach all the flats in the building. "I have been following up on WhatsApp groups and also noticed that other buildings in Sherwood and 45th Cutting are experiencing the problem. Residents believe that there is manipulation of the water system," she said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Carol Noel, 72, who lives on the 6th floor in Sydenham Manor and uses walking aids, shared her plight of having to pay people, up to R50, in the building to fetch water for her. "The water tankers come at odd hours. We also went three days without water. We pay for water that we are not using," she said. Isaac Waljee, 67, said he had to walk up nine floors carrying buckets of water in Sydenham A-Block. Carl Lortan, Sydenham Ratepayers Association chairperson, said the city management must heed the concerns of residents who are paying for undelivered services. Lortan said residents were intending to hold a placard protest outside City Hall to highlight their plight, adding that children going to school and those reliant on medication were most affected by the water outages. Ward councillor Remona McKenzie said residents have been deprived of consistent access to water since December last year. Despite escalating this matter to the head of Water and Sanitation, Operations and Technical teams, the municipality has failed to provide any feedback or resolution. "This neglect not only breaches the rights enshrined in the Municipal Systems Act but also undermines the constitutional obligation to provide access to water. The crisis is forcing elderly residents to carry heavy buckets of water, placing an undue burden on them and highlighting the severe impact on their lives. We demand urgent action and accountability to restore our right to water," McKenzie said. Sandile Cele, acting area manager of Water Operations, Central Region, said residents' concern about water tanker availability is understood. In a statement, the municipality said that to prevent the system from collapsing, which may result in a prolonged recovery period, an urgent decision has been taken to shut off outflows on uMngeni-uThukela's Wiggins Water Treatment Works. The treatment works also supplies water to Sydenham. Other areas affected include Dunbar, Chesterville, and Bonela. The municipality said shutting off outflows is necessary to replenish storage reserves at the works, which will increase flow to the city's reservoirs. As per the previous communique on May 15, the municipality stated that shutting off the outflows will continue to be repeated until the system has fully recovered. The municipality added that it was working closely with its bulk supplier, uMngeni-uThukela, to remedy the situation and find a permanent solution. It is anticipated that storage reserves will improve overnight for outflow supplies to resume. However, consumers are cautioned that the interruption of supply may continue as the system recovers.
