Tshwane officials from the city’s Water and Sanitation Department came under attack while cracking down on illegal connections at the Mabopane reservoir north of Pretoria earlier today.

City spokesperson Selby Bokaba says the officials were held hostage for some time and threatened with violence by angry residents who had connected illegally to the network.

The residents blocked the entrance to the reservoir with rocks to prevent the officials from leaving.

“The officials, who were accompanied by a Tshwane Metro Police Department team, managed to flee the scene unharmed after police backup was summoned,” says Bokaba.

Tshwane officials from the Water & Sanitation Department came under attack while cracking down on illegal connections at the Mabopane Reservoir. pic.twitter.com/vrUdGEnhIm

— City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) December 14, 2023

“These illegal connections have been causing significant water supply interruptions to high-lying areas in Mabopane, particularly in parts of Block A, B, D, M, S, V, R and T, located under the Odi Hospital and Klipgat Reservoir zone.

“Paying customers in these areas have endured intermittent water supply outages due to the illegal and criminal actions of the residents who live in and around the reservoir,” he adds.

The metro has adopted a firm stance against those who engage in water theft and illegal connections to its reservoirs and water distribution lines.

“These actions not only compromise the integrity of the water supply system but also deprive legitimate and loyal customers of their rightful access to water.”

Bokaba says water theft and illegal connections pose a significant risk to the sustainability of water supply infrastructure, and the city remains committed to providing reliable and uninterrupted water supply to its residents.

“Efforts are being made to strengthen water infrastructure and enhance monitoring systems to prevent future incidents of water theft and illegal connections. The city administration appreciates the co-operation and understanding of its loyal paying customers during this operation.”