eThekwini Municipality
By Karabo Marifi
The eThekwini Municipality has approved significant funding to tackle two pressing issues in the northern parts of the city. During its Executive Committee (EXCO) meeting on Tuesday, the council greenlit a R2 million transfer within the 2024/25 water and sanitation capital budget to address water shortages in Verulam and surrounding areas. Additionally, an extra R3 million was approved to replace the failed furnace at the oThongathi Crematorium, bringing the total investment for that project to R8 million.
Relief for Water-Scarce Communities
The R2 million will be redirected from the Pinkney Park project, which has been stalled by the Bid Evaluation Committee due to insufficient funding for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years. Instead, the money will now support the Hazelmere to Grange Reservoir pipeline project, an ongoing initiative critical to easing water shortages in the northern region.
The municipality explained that work on the pipeline had stopped after funds ran dry. “The additional allocation to complete the project will ensure much-needed relief to the communities in the northern parts of the city, who have been experiencing water shortages,” the council said in a statement. The situation has been worsened by recurring flood disasters in KwaZulu-Natal, which have damaged infrastructure and strained water supply systems in recent years.
With this R2 million injection, the city aims to complete the pipeline within the current financial year, bringing reliable water access closer for residents in Verulam and nearby areas.
Restoring Cremation Services at oThongathi
In a separate decision, the EXCO approved R3 million to urgently replace the furnace at the oThongathi Crematorium. This follows an initial R5 million allocation in the city’s adjustment budget, pushing the total cost to R8 million. The existing furnace, in use for many years, suffered repeated breakdowns before failing completely on 24 January 2025. Technical assessments confirmed it had reached the end of its lifespan, leaving families in the area without access to cremation services.
eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba welcomed the decision, saying, “We are pleased that EXCO has responded swiftly to this urgent matter. The failure of the furnace has left many families without access to cremation services in the area. This funding will allow us to expedite the process and restore this essential service.”
To cover the R3 million shortfall, the Parks, Recreation and Culture Unit identified savings within its capital budget. The municipality will now appoint a South African-based contractor to manufacture, construct, and install the new furnace. The contractor will also provide 12 months of maintenance support under warranty, with the option to extend this for two more years.
A Commitment to Essential Services
Mayor Xaba stressed the city’s dedication to its residents. “We understand the cultural and religious significance of cremation for many communities. The urgent reprioritisation of funds demonstrates our dedication to ensuring that all residents have access to essential municipal services,” he said.
The city plans to restore full operations at the oThongathi Crematorium within the current financial year and will keep residents updated as the project progresses. Similarly, the completion of the Hazelmere to Grange pipeline is expected to bring significant relief to water-stressed areas.
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