Municipal workers gave residents the middle finger on Monday night. The result? They woke up this morning to dry taps, following the umpteenth water pipe burst in Hertzog Street.

By yesterday afternoon, councillor Johan Dyason sent residents a message saying that the water leak had been fixed. “The fire hydrants are still open and will be closed shortly. Water will then come through systematically.” Famous last words.

Moments later, residents living in Hertzog Street reported that the pipe had burst again in the same place. “It’s one massive mess and inconvenient because we need to get out with our vehicles to get to work. Hopefully we can get it sorted tonight.” But tonight came and went, and there was still no water.

Another resident reported: “Shortly after they did the changeover where we are in Dennesig, my neighbour’s connection came loose, and my driveway was flooded with mud. The contractor responsible for the changeover promised to come and clean up, but it never happened. I had tons of water and mud flowing through my yard.”

The resident was contacted but asked to remain anonymous because she feared intimidation. There was also a complaint that the paving had been dug up and left as is. “I understand they are busy and it’s not an easy job, but once it has been fixed with a new piece of pipe and new clamps, how does this happen again after an hour?”

Councillor Dyason responded: “Noted, will forward information to the foreman.” And then came the shock this morning: the water had simply been turned off yesterday and left as is. The burst pipe was not repaired overnight.

Councillor Dyason said this morning that he had already reported the workers’ actions to their direct superior. “Dennesig has been without water for two days. They only turned off the water. It is in the driveway of a resident, and he can’t get to work today.”