New eThekwini Mayor Xaba wants accountability from city officials over metro's water issues

DURBAN - Newly-elected eThekwini Metro Mayor Cyril Xaba said that he wanted accountability from city officials over water issues plaguing the municipality.

Xaba says he's learnt of complaints over the lack of water from various communities in Durban.  

The mayor now wants city officials to account for what he has termed utterly unacceptable and undermines human rights.

Xaba addressed the council shortly after his election.

"I shall write to the city manager to ask for a detailed report as to why the residents of Clermont and Hillcrest were without water, whether such could have been prevented or at least mitigated, whether there was negligence on the part of our officials."

He added this would be followed by plans to resolve water issues in parts of the coastal city.

"Mr. Speaker, I shall be following up on other areas that have been without water for a considerable period of time, and I treat these as urgent."