THE KwaMashu Social Development Service Centre north of Durban has been without water for the past three weeks, leaving thirsty people in queues while others collapsed on the pavement.
Frustrated pensioners accused the Ethekwini municipality of not responding to the matter while centre staff said they had reported the matter on the first day.
The staff has resorted to bringing their own water bottles to work.
They also complain that they face a health hazard because they have to use filthy toilets that cannot flush.
The centre, which assists 200 people daily, has only one smelly mobile toilet.
Cynthia Makhanya, 70, from A-section, said she had always had problems with centre officials because of their rude and unfriendly behaviour.
"The water issue is just one of the many problems that we experience here. Earlier today someone collapsed in the queue because of a lack of water. We could not do anything to help," she said.
Pensioners and social grant beneficiaries who utilise the social grant office every day, are mostly sick or being treated.
Some said they left home without eating breakfast so they could be first in the queue.
"I had to buy water from the nearby shops with the last change I had so that I could drink my medication. People come here because they don't have money," said an elderly man who did not want to be named.
A staff member, who also wished to remain anonymous, said the water problem at the centre had been going on for more than a year.
"Problems with water here happen almost every month," she said.
"We work with sick people and need to wash our hands all the time. We are now at risk of getting sick."
KwaZulu-Natal's social development department spokesperson Mandla Ngema, said the matter had never been brought to their attention but promised to investigate.
No running water: pensioners collapse
THE KwaMashu Social Development Service Centre north of Durban has been without water for the past three weeks, leaving thirsty people in queues while others collapsed on the pavement.
Frustrated pensioners accused the Ethekwini municipality of not responding to the matter while centre staff said they had reported the matter on the first day.
The staff has resorted to bringing their own water bottles to work.
They also complain that they face a health hazard because they have to use filthy toilets that cannot flush.
The centre, which assists 200 people daily, has only one smelly mobile toilet.
Cynthia Makhanya, 70, from A-section, said she had always had problems with centre officials because of their rude and unfriendly behaviour.
"The water issue is just one of the many problems that we experience here. Earlier today someone collapsed in the queue because of a lack of water. We could not do anything to help," she said.
Pensioners and social grant beneficiaries who utilise the social grant office every day, are mostly sick or being treated.
Some said they left home without eating breakfast so they could be first in the queue.
"I had to buy water from the nearby shops with the last change I had so that I could drink my medication. People come here because they don't have money," said an elderly man who did not want to be named.
A staff member, who also wished to remain anonymous, said the water problem at the centre had been going on for more than a year.
"Problems with water here happen almost every month," she said.
"We work with sick people and need to wash our hands all the time. We are now at risk of getting sick."
KwaZulu-Natal's social development department spokesperson Mandla Ngema, said the matter had never been brought to their attention but promised to investigate.
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