Community members near the new stands alongside the N12 say the water has been flowing for the past two months. Ward 4 councillor, Johan Zerwick, says he has complained to the council about the leakage but has received no feedback. ‘We have water restrictions all over the country but, in Tlokwe, we waste water as if we have an endless supply,’ he says.

When the Potchefstroom Herald did an inspection of the area on Tuesday, exposed water pipes were lying across the road and were being crushed by the passing vehicles. The water continued to flow from the damaged pipe and soaked the gravel road to the tarred N12. This was only one of a number of pipes in the area.

Zerwick says he has already complained about the contractor’s failure to bury these pipes underground.

According to the community members, the leakage has been there ever since they moved onto their new stands two months ago. ‘The municipal staff did come to fix them last week but the water started flowing again the very next day,’ said one woman.

The council spokesperson, Willie Maphosa says the water pipe was installed as a temporary measure to supply water to a construction site but was being damaged on a regular basis. ‘The contractor has now been instructed to close the supply permanently and remove the water pipe. No residents will be adversely affected as the water was supplied solely to the site and the work has now been completed,’ he said.