Ugu Municipality acts against staff amid water supply crisis affecting Hibberdene, Port Edward

The Ugu District Municipality has announced its intention to suspend two employees from Ugu Water Services as part of an internal investigation into prolonged water supply interruptions affecting parts of the district.

In a statement, the municipality confirmed that “notices of intention to suspend have been issued to two Ugu Water Services employees as a precautionary measure” following continued disruptions in water supply in the Hibberdene and Port Edward areas. The municipality has not indicated what the employees are accused of.

The Mercury has recently reported on the water supply disruptions in the Southbroom area, which is also supplied by the Ugu municipality, where some residents have resorted to going off the grid to ensure constant water supply. 

According to the municipality, the decision forms part of an internal process aimed at addressing service delivery challenges and ensuring accountability. The two employees will be given an opportunity to respond to the notice before a decision on suspension is taken.

The suspensions, if implemented, will not be punitive at this stage, the municipality stated.

“The intended suspensions are precautionary and administrative in nature and form part of an internal process aimed at ensuring a fair, independent, and unhindered investigation into matters related to service delivery challenges.”

The municipality further stated that all actions are being taken in line with existing labour frameworks.

“These measures are being implemented in strict accordance with the Municipality’s Disciplinary Code of Conduct and Procedures for Municipal Employees, as well as the applicable collective agreements governing employee disciplinary procedures and conditions of service,” the statement read.

The municipality also stressed that the affected employees’ rights are being protected throughout the process.

“The affected employees have been afforded their full labour rights, including the right to respond, representation, and due process, in line with legislation regulating labour relations within South African municipalities.”

Beyond internal disciplinary steps, the municipality indicated that the matter may escalate to law enforcement authorities. “The municipality is preparing to open criminal cases in terms of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act of 2015 to enable further investigation by the South African Police Service, where warranted,” the press release stated.

The municipality added that it is focused on stabilising water supply to affected communities.

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