Residents of Folweni and surrounding areas have been enduring a harrowing situation as they enter the new year without electricity since December 31, 2023.
Adding to their woes, the water supply has been erratic, leaving the community without a reliable source for more than five days.
Shockingly, the local municipality appears to be inactive, failing to provide assistance or send water tankers to alleviate the suffering of those affected.
The prolonged electricity outage has plunged Folweni into darkness, impacting daily life, businesses, and essential services.
Residents are left without power for lighting, cooking, and other essential activities, leading to growing frustration and concern among the community members.
The lack of communication from the municipality regarding the status of the situation has only exacerbated the residents’ anxiety.
In addition to the power outage, the water crisis has reached a critical point.
Read | Durban beaches stayed open during holidays despite unacceptable levels of sewage – report
“We have no water and electricity for five days now. Nobody seems to care about us, we are a forgotten community,” Thandeka Mdletshe, a resident told Durban Sun.
“There are no water trucks to help ease our problems leaving us with no water for drinking, cooking and sanitation,” she added.
The frustrated and desperate, community members are questioning the competence and responsiveness of the the eThekwini municipality.
Residents say that their calls for urgent action have gone unanswered, and they feel abandoned in the face of these challenging circumstances.
Some have taken to social media to voice their concerns and share the extent of their struggles, hoping to attract attention and assistance from higher authorities.
Local leaders and community activists are now demanding immediate intervention from the municipal authorities.
They are calling for transparency in communication, a clear action plan to restore electricity, and an urgent deployment of water tankers to provide relief to those without water.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, residents are left in a state of uncertainty and fear for their well-being.
The lack of essential services has raised questions about the municipality’s ability to address and manage crises effectively, leaving the community in the dark, both literally and figuratively.
Efforts are being made by concerned citizens to draw attention to the dire circumstances in Folweni and surrounding areas, with the hope that urgent action will be taken to restore normalcy and provide the necessary support to those affected by this prolonged power outage and water crisis.