Nelson Mandela Bay to be declared a disaster area

Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Athol Trollip has signed a disaster declaration‚ setting in motion a process for the Bay to be declared a disaster area.

Speaking at a briefing at City Hall on Wednesday‚ Trollip said the metro would be declared a disaster area “once the water crisis is promulgated and gazetted”.

He described the water situation in the Bay as “precarious”.

• Athol Trollip investigated for 'hacking' metro serverThe feud between Nelson Mandela Bay's mayor Athol Trollip and his deputy, Mongameli Bobani, has intensified with Bobani opening a criminal case against Trollip for allegedly hiring a company to "hack" the municipality's security system. 

“We are not the only municipality preparing for disaster declaration. Many other metros are affected‚” Trollip said.

Mayoral committee member for infrastructure‚ engineering‚ electricity and energy Annette Lovemore said they had indicated earlier they would initiate the process of declaring the Bay a disaster area once dam levels dropped below 40%.

The latest levels are 38.5%.

TMG Digital/HeraldLIVE