A Sunninghill pensioner said he has been left to struggle without water while Johannesburg Water (JW) remains silent on the meter dispute that has left him dry for months.

Daniel Oganah, 72, has been without running water since early August after discovering that his water meter had been removed. The removal followed a year-long billing dispute that began in September 2024, when JW replaced his old meter with a smart meter he said he never requested.

Read more: JW confirms investigation into Sunninghill meter dispute

Since then, Oganah has received no municipal bills, only a pre-termination notice in December and, more recently, a warning of a water interruption dated August 11, issued despite his meter already having been removed.

Oganah said he is now relying on neighbours and bottled water to get by. “It’s extremely stressful, and at my age, it’s affecting my health. I have no idea when this will be resolved,” he said.

Johannesburg Water previously confirmed that the reference number linked to the case showed a disconnection carried out at Oganah’s address under instruction from the City of Johannesburg due to an outstanding account. But the utility has not provided any further updates since promising to investigate the matter in August.

Also read: JW customers left to fend for themselves amid scam

“I have not heard from them again. No one has come back to explain what happened or when my water will be restored,” said Oganah.

With no meter, no supply and no communication from JW, the pensioner said he feels abandoned in a crisis that has dragged on for almost a year.

Fourways Review is in contact with Joburg water spokesperson Nolwazi Dhlamini about this, but every follow-up is followed with: ’Inquiry received and forwarded to the relevant department.’ More information will be provided once it becomes available.

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