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Mail & Guardian

Umgeni Water

latest news & developments
Political interference, corruption, skills shortages, supply chain inefficiencies and red tape are among the causes of the eThekwini municipality’s water and sanitation woes that have led to a breakdown of the water treatment infrastructure. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
ALLYSON LAWLESS

Political meddling and corruption behind eThekwini water woes

A lack of necessary skills has also contributed to the metro’s water and sanitation crisis

  • Lyse Comins
7 min read
A general view of containers that fell over at a container storage facility following heavy rains and winds in Durban, on April 12, 2022. (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP)
APRIL FLOODS

KwaZulu-Natal on high alert for disruptive rain and flooding

Still contending with the effects of the April 2022 floods, KwaZulu-Natal was on Wednesday placed on high alert following warnings of severe weather

  • Lesego Chepape
2 min read
In his judgment last year, Judge Piet Bezuidenhout said Lindiwe Sisulu’s actions were “procedurally unfair” and “not in terms of the constitution”.
LINDIWE SISULU

Umgeni Water’s board members get R4.3-million windfall

The axed board members have been paid out for the 14 months they spent sitting at home.

  • Paddy Harper
4 min read
Water woes: KZN residents with water delivered from a tanker. Umgeni Water which supplies 11-million people with water, has been rocked by leadership changes and allegations of corruption. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
CORRUPTION

‘Captured’ water utility exec holes up

Thami Hlongwa seems to be in hiding after a blacklisted technology company scored millions from Umgeni Water and the owner was murdered

  • Paddy Harper
5 min read
Everyone in South Africa lives downstream from a sewage discharge point into their drinking water supply, which is why the Blue and Green Drop reports are so important. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
ANTHONY TURTON

Why we need the Blue and Green Drop reports: ‘Everyone in SA lives downstream from a sewage discharge point’

The last reports were in 2014 but were stopped probably because the results were too shocking to be publicised, water experts say

  • Sheree Bega
5 min read
DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND SANITATION

Umgeni Water tender kingpin murdered

Sibonelo Shinga was embroiled in controversy over his IT and social facilitation contracts

  • Paddy Harper
6 min read
(Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
GUGILE NWINTI

Phineas Legodi resigns from water board after latest court defeat

Lepelle Northern Water chief executive Phineas Legodi throws in the towel after losing fourth interdict application

  • Paddy Harper
4 min read
Phineas Legodi was suspended pending an investigation into alleged maladministration at the entity a month after an interim board was appointed by human settlements, water and sanitation minister Lindiwe Sisulu.
AMATOLA WATER

Sisulu takes a win in the battle of the boards

Suspended Lepelle Northern Water chief executive Phineas Legodi loses another court battle

  • Paddy Harper
3 min read
Polluted: The Willowton oil spill caused fish to die from a lack of oxygen. (Rogan Ward)
AIR POLLUTION

Rivers die after oil, chemical spill

A disastrous oil and chemical spill at Willowton Oils in Pietermaritzburg has devastated the Msunduzi and Umgeni and harmed those who depend on it

  • Paddy Harper
6 min read
Annual ritual: The Dusi can present racers with a full-flowing river, which means more rapids or low water levels. Photo: Gameplan Media
BLUE LAGOON

Dancing where light and river meet

A veteran of the Dusi canoe marathon, Kevin Davie recalls the many bends in the river and the gladiatorial mind-set pilgrims need to survive it.

  • Kevin Davie
10 min read
From more or less the Outer Ring road, which bypasses Durban, with about six kilometres to go, the rapids are behind you and, depending on the tide, you may even have deeper water to ease your passage to the finish line at the Blue Lagoon.
DURBAN

A Dusi for the virtual paddler

Here’s a paddler’s eye view of awaits participants

  • Kevin Davie
5 min read
Tightening up: The JSE has already made changes to bond regulations but warns that more are on the way.
ESKOM

Shake-up for bond regulations

Listing requirements for the debt market stand accused of being weaker than those for equities

  • Staff Reporter
7 min read
Popo Francis was elected in 2013 and vowed to take a “zero tolerance” approach to clerical sex abuse. (Max Rossi/Reuters)
CITY OF CAPE TOWN

‘We have experience in drought management’— Umgeni Water defends appointment

​Umgeni Water has maintained that it has a wealth of expertise in drought management following talk about its role in the water crisis in Cape Town

  • Jan Bornman
2 min read