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A 43-year-old man has died after he was struck and run over by a water tanker in Adams Mission, south of Durban, amid growing frustration among residents over ongoing water supply problems in the area.
Celani Zungu was killed during the incident on Sunday after residents allegedly attempted to stop the tanker from leaving the community. Disturbing video footage showing the incident has since circulated widely on social media.
According to residents, parts of Adams Mission had been without running water for several days, leaving households dependent on alternative supplies. Community members said the arrival of the water tanker initially brought relief, as many believed it had come to provide water to residents affected by the dry taps.
However, residents alleged that the tanker delivered water to only one household before attempting to leave the area. This reportedly angered some community members, who approached the vehicle and tried to stop the driver.
Resident Sihle Makhanya told Eyewitness News that residents questioned why the tanker appeared to be supplying only one home when the wider community was also experiencing water shortages.
“We were trying to stop the water truck because as far as we know, the municipality doesn’t sell water. We know that water is supposed to be provided to everyone since we all don’t have it. When we tried to talk to the driver, he didn’t want to hear us and unfortunately, the deceased man stood in front of the truck and got knocked down,” Makhanya said.
Some residents believe Zungu had positioned himself in front of the tanker in an attempt to prevent it from leaving so that other households could also receive water. He was subsequently struck by the vehicle and died.
The tragedy has further heightened tensions in the community, where residents are demanding answers over both Zungu’s death and the water supply challenges affecting the area.
eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba visited Adams Mission and engaged with angry community members following the incident. Residents raised their concerns with the mayor as they sought clarity over what had happened and the provision of water to the community.
The incident has also attracted significant attention online after footage of Zungu’s death was shared across social media platforms.
Police have since launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident. A case of culpable homicide has been opened.
Authorities are expected to establish the full sequence of events leading up to Zungu’s death, including the circumstances surrounding the tanker’s presence in Adams Mission and what happened between the driver and residents immediately before the fatal collision.
