At least 6 areas have been without water since Wednesday.
Numerous residents from Mohadin, Promosa, Sarafina, Sonderwater, Greenfield, Ikageng and Extensions 7, 11, 3 and 6 have voiced their complaints and opinions regarding the water crisis that is currently occurring in their various areas.
Fazel Adams is a resident from Mohadin and he confirms that they had no water supply from Wednesday morning around 11:00.
Since then, he says he has contacted the municipality’s Department of Water and Sanitation several times but he says that he was informed that there is a pipe that has burst and will be fixed later that day. However, he and others are still without water.
Fazel says his fellow community members, even the elderly, walk down the streets looking for water since not everyone has access to the borehole. “This is bad and very unfair towards the community. We pay taxes every month. The lack of service delivery is unjust,” he says.
According to a post on Facebook, members of Mohadin and surrounding areas have resorted to collecting water at a tap nearby the Mosque in Mohadin.
Matong Ben Tshesebe, a resident who stays on the border between Greenfield and Mohadin, has also been experiencing the lack of water provision since Wednesday morning, but from 09:00.
He says that he and other community members have resorted to collecting water from people in other neighbourhoods. He says that in the beginning, he also used to collect water at a tap near the Mosque. However, the line would be too long. So now he collects water from a friend who stays in ward 8.
“This crisis is bad! Imagine water supply being cut off without notifying people beforehand,” says Matong.
Victor Boqo, the mayoral spokesperson earlier posted a response to the people’s concerns on Facebook. “Dear residents the technical team is still on site fixing a pipe leakage between Dassierand and Promosa Road and the following areas are affected and without water: Ext 11, 7, 13, Sarafina, Mohadin and Promosa. Water tankers are dispatched in these areas. It is not known when will the team restore water.
We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this situation which was unforeseen,” said Boqo.
Jeanette Tshite, the municipal’s senior media relations officer, says that the pipe that burst at Devil’s Corner, Ikageng was repaired on Thursday (12 December) and the water of the affected areas has been restored. The affected areas were Ikageng Proper, Thabeng, Vuka and the Loans area.
Jeanette also mentions that the reservoirs work with electricity in order for water to be supplied to various taps, and with the recent power outage, the process has been affected. She kindly pleads with community members for their patience.
However, there are still areas that are struggling with water provision. “Areas that are still struggling without water are Ext 11, Ext 07, Ext 13, Mohadin, Sarafina and Promosa. The contractor is still busy onsite, fixing the leakage and as soon as they finish, they will restore water. One water tanker was utilized yesterday to provide residents with water together with a water tanker from the Fire Brigade,” she says.
Jeanette further mentions that two water pumps located at the Ventersdorp Road Reservoir have broken down as a result of the load shedding. And, that the necessary parts needed to replace the broken pumps have been ordered and will be repaired soon as they are available.
A Good Samaritan, Andre Jacobs has opened up his doors for all who are in need of water. He says all those affected by this crisis can come collect water, free of charge, at 39 Herman Street, Old Grimbeekhuis. He says his doors are always open, one is only required to bring own container. Even a Jojo tank will be accepted. For more information, please WHATSAPP him on 084 707 4631 (WHATSAPP ONLY).
For any emergency contact the municipal’s 24 hr Disaster Centre at (018) 299 5347.
