Residents and businesses in Verulam have now endured four days without water as a dispute over access to a municipal servitude continues to delay urgent repairs to a burst pipeline.
According to eThekwini Municipality, a 375mm asbestos cement water pipe on Ireland Street burst, disrupting supply to Verulam CBD, Rydiah Township, Tampe Valley and parts of South Ridge.
While municipal technicians have identified the fault, repair work has been brought to a standstill because officials have allegedly been denied access to the site.
The municipality claims a private development was constructed over the pipeline servitude, an area legally reserved for municipal infrastructure. Officials further allege that repeated attempts to negotiate access with the property owner have failed, with a vehicle reportedly placed at the entrance to block municipal teams.
The incident raises questions about how construction was permitted on a critical infrastructure servitude and whether municipal oversight mechanisms failed to prevent the obstruction.
The city says it is pursuing legal action to gain access while deploying water tankers to affected communities. No timeline has been provided for restoring normal water supply.
Email: Malcolm@onenews.co.za
