The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it plans to approach the High Court in Pietermaritzburg as a last resort in a bid to secure reliable access to clean drinking water for residents of the uThukela District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.
The party claims communities in the area have been deprived of a basic human right for nearly six years, accusing local, provincial and national authorities of repeatedly failing to resolve the ongoing water crisis.
DA MP Dean Macpherson said the 2026 Green Drop report identified uThukela as the worst-performing municipality in the province when it comes to providing safe and clean drinking water.
“The municipality’s failure not only breaches Section 27 of the Constitution, but also undermines other fundamental rights, including the right to life, dignity, and an environment that is not harmful to health and wellbeing,” Macpherson said. He added that the National Water Act places a clear obligation on all spheres of government to ensure access to safe and reliable water.
Meanwhile, uThukela District Mayor Inkosi Ntandoyenkosi Shabalala acknowledged challenges during an Integrated Development Plan (IDP) budget consultation with traditional leaders on Tuesday.
Shabalala cited limited funding as a major constraint on infrastructure maintenance and expansion. He also noted that water treatment capacity has not kept pace with population growth, contributing to persistent supply shortages.
However, he said national government interventions have helped improve stability in some areas.
The municipality added that plans are underway to strengthen water systems, including exploring alternative water sources and upgrading existing infrastructure.