Nelson Mandela Bay’s acting city manager, Lonwabo Ngoqo, has formally requested external assistance to combat a worsening water and electricity crisis. In a letter to councillor Gustav Rautenbach, Ngoqo described the situation as “unbearable,” acknowledging widespread outages impacting residents. This admission follows a negative performance review from the Department of Water and Sanitation, highlighting existing problems. The metro’s inability to manage essential services independently has prompted the call for outside intervention. Ngoqo’s request signals a critical point in the ongoing struggle with infrastructure and resource management within the Bay. Residents are facing prolonged disruptions as the municipality grapples with escalating challenges. The need for immediate and sustained support is now paramount to restore basic services.