Key entry point to Transkei tourist destinations THE Mthatha Airport may have to close if sporadic water cuts become permanent as firemen will not be able to respond to emergencies such as a plane crash.
Workers, who spoke to the Daily Dispatch on condition of anonymity, said the facility had been without water for more than a month.
As a result wheelie bins and five litre containers are filled with “dirty” water and used to flush toilets.
“The main issue is the (lack of) hygiene,” said a worker. “We use one toilet at a time and there’ll be long queues because it gets very busy here.
“The toilets are not always clean because people leave them in a mess after using them. It’s a stinking problem.”
A bad odour welcomes visitors to the airport, which is a key entry point to several Transkei tourist destinations including former president Nelson Mandela’s Qunu village, his birthplace of Mvezo and many Wild Coast holiday resorts. The water shortages have also threatened the viability of restaurants and car hire companies at the airport.
A shuttle company driver said he fetched water in 25-litre drums from the nearby Mandela Park informal settlement to wash cars.
Mthatha Airport manager Anderson Maduneni confirmed the water shortages, but could not say what was behind the problem.
He also said workers had “exaggerated” the situation as the shortages had been going on for less than a month, were intermittent and did not last for more than two days.
“But if it should last for more than two days we will be grossly affected,” said Maduneni.
“The day the water ends is the day we shut the airport down.”
He said they were fetching drinking water from fire hydrants from the airport’s fire station. “If we exhaust the water reserves then we will be forced to close shop and bar planes from landing,” he said. Airport safety manager Nonceba Sikuni admitted the shortages left a bad impression. “Life is not easy without water,” she said.
Public works and transport department spokesman Ncedo Kumbaca said the department was aware of the water shortages but he referred the Dispatch to the OR Tambo District Municipality.
Municipal manager Tshaka Hlazo yesterday said he had immediately sent officials to investigate and they had discovered a leakage outside the airport yard.
Public works and transport department spokesman Ncedo Kumbaca said they were aware of the water shortages but referred the Dispatch to the OR Tambo District Municipality.
Municipal manager Tshaka Hlazo yesterday said he had immediately sent officials to investigate and they had discovered a leakage outside the airport yard.
He said it could have been caused by a blockage with the water reticulation system and he would ensure the problem was fixed the same day.
“The airport is of strategic importance to the community as an entry point for businesses.
“Such a situation should not be allowed to continue,” he said.
Hlazo added the Mthatha Airport Corridor water project, which would be finished by the end of March next year, would be a lasting solution to water problems at the airport. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
Stink over airport water shortages
THE Mthatha Airport may have to close if sporadic water cuts become permanent as firemen will not be able to respond to emergencies such as a plane crash.
Workers, who spoke to the Daily Dispatch on condition of anonymity, said the facility had been without water for more than a month.
As a result wheelie bins and five litre containers are filled with “dirty” water and used to flush toilets.
“The main issue is the (lack of) hygiene,” said a worker. “We use one toilet at a time and there’ll be long queues because it gets very busy here.
“The toilets are not always clean because people leave them in a mess after using them. It’s a stinking problem.”
A bad odour welcomes visitors to the airport, which is a key entry point to several Transkei tourist destinations including former president Nelson Mandela’s Qunu village, his birthplace of Mvezo and many Wild Coast holiday resorts. The water shortages have also threatened the viability of restaurants and car hire companies at the airport.
A shuttle company driver said he fetched water in 25-litre drums from the nearby Mandela Park informal settlement to wash cars.
Mthatha Airport manager Anderson Maduneni confirmed the water shortages, but could not say what was behind the problem.
He also said workers had “exaggerated” the situation as the shortages had been going on for less than a month, were intermittent and did not last for more than two days.
“But if it should last for more than two days we will be grossly affected,” said Maduneni.
“The day the water ends is the day we shut the airport down.”
He said they were fetching drinking water from fire hydrants from the airport’s fire station. “If we exhaust the water reserves then we will be forced to close shop and bar planes from landing,” he said. Airport safety manager Nonceba Sikuni admitted the shortages left a bad impression. “Life is not easy without water,” she said.
Public works and transport department spokesman Ncedo Kumbaca said the department was aware of the water shortages but he referred the Dispatch to the OR Tambo District Municipality.
Municipal manager Tshaka Hlazo yesterday said he had immediately sent officials to investigate and they had discovered a leakage outside the airport yard.
Public works and transport department spokesman Ncedo Kumbaca said they were aware of the water shortages but referred the Dispatch to the OR Tambo District Municipality.
Municipal manager Tshaka Hlazo yesterday said he had immediately sent officials to investigate and they had discovered a leakage outside the airport yard.
He said it could have been caused by a blockage with the water reticulation system and he would ensure the problem was fixed the same day.
“The airport is of strategic importance to the community as an entry point for businesses.
“Such a situation should not be allowed to continue,” he said.
Hlazo added the Mthatha Airport Corridor water project, which would be finished by the end of March next year, would be a lasting solution to water problems at the airport. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
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