eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba has led a city delegation to the family of Celani Zungu, who allegedly died after being run over by a municipal water tanker in Adams Mission, south of Durban.
The visit comes as police continue investigating the fatal incident, which occurred on Sunday and resulted in a culpable homicide case being opened.
Mayor Xaba, accompanied by Speaker of Council Thabani Nyawose, met with the bereaved family on Monday to offer condolences and reassure them of the municipality’s support during their time of mourning.
“On behalf of the municipality, Mayor Xaba conveyed his deepest condolences to the bereaved family,” the municipality said.
The mayor also assured the family that municipal officials, together with Ward Councillor Lihle Makhanya, would assist them during the bereavement period.
“We were deeply saddened to learn of this tragic incident. We appeal for calm and urge the community to allow the South African Police Service to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter,” said Xaba.
The municipality said Adams Mission is one of several rural communities that depend on water tankers due to demand exceeding available water supply.
As part of efforts to address water shortages in the south of Durban, the city highlighted major infrastructure projects currently under way.
These include the R1.2 billion Southern Aqueduct upgrade, which is expected to be commissioned later this year, and the R11 billion Lower uMkhomazi Bulk Water Scheme, which is currently 50% complete.
According to the municipality, the Lower uMkhomazi project will include a storage dam, a water abstraction point on the uMkhomazi River and a water treatment plant.
“Once completed, it will produce 100 megalitres of water per day, with 70 megalitres allocated to eThekwini Municipality. This will significantly improve and stabilise water supply from Isipingo to uMkhomazi,” the municipality said.
The visit follows the death of Zungu after an incident involving a municipal water tanker in Adams Mission. Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing.
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