'We are losing hope': Verulam community battles years of service delivery failures

RESIDENTS of Verulam, north of Durban, are reaching breaking point over persistent water outages, neglected infrastructure and absent municipal leadership.

- NADIA KHAN

A FULL bin and refuse left on the side of a road in the Verulam central business district.

(CHUMANI MAZWI)

As the 2026 local government elections approach, community members share heart-wrenching stories of daily struggles, and they question whether their votes will bring any meaningful change to their deteriorating living conditions.

Kogie Reddy, 57, said one of their greatest challenges was the ongoing water outages.

"We have been battling for years to have a consistent water supply from our taps, but we are forced to depend on tankers and the generosity of the public.

"There seems to be no end. I have 20-litre buckets, about 50, and many 5-litre bottles in and around my home. This has become our way of life."

Reddy, who has lived in the area for the past 37 years, said her day started at 4am.

"We recently started getting water in our taps from about 4.30am until 8am. My family and I wait at the taps to fill as many buckets and bottles as we can in this time.

"However, this water is just for cleaning the house, washing clothes, bathing and for the toilet. We try not to waste it. We also try to collect rain water for the toilet.

"However, we still have to buy water for drinking, which is not cheap. We spend no less than R20 for a 5-litre bottle of water. Some people cannot afford it, and have to boil the water they collect from the tap or tanker for drinking," she said.

Reddy said despite not receiving a constant water supply, her bill at the end of the month was high.

"We get a monthly utility bill which includes water, electricity and rates of R3 500 to R4 000. The water bill is no less than R1 000. It does not make sense.

"We also see the water meter spinning, but there is no water in our taps. When we query it, we do not get any proper feedback. However, we pay the bill to avoid the arrears.