Pump failure sparks chaos in Dan Tloome community
While the municipality has promised repairs, families are frustrated with ongoing outages, irregular water tanker schedules and the impact on schools and daily life.
For weeks, residents of the Dan Tloome Mega Project have been battling without water, relying on tankers and neighbours for basic needs. Frustration is mounting as households say they cannot bathe, cook, clean, or flush toilets.
Resident Connie Smuts said the outages have dragged on for two weeks and are believed to be caused by a pump motor failure.
“The whole of Dan Tloome is struggling without water. We cannot take a bath, clean, cook, do laundry, flush the toilets or drink water,” she said.
Smuts noted that while residents can fetch water from three collection points and from private neighbours who have offered help, the water tanker arrives with no set schedule.
“Even if they send a water tanker, it still does not solve the issue, as we have elderly people who use crutches, children, young girls who make use of sanitary items and people who have to get ready for work without water,” she added.
She explained that she waited 30 years for her house and now has to struggle without water.
According to Smuts, the latest outage began on May 4 and is the third since then.
Other residents echoed her frustration.
Thato Matlala said he has stopped going to school because of the water crisis. Living with his mother in Dan Tloome for four years, they now face constant difficulty cleaning, washing and maintaining hygiene.
“I am angry about this issue. Look at the elderly who have to wait in line for water; it’s wrong, and then they switch off the water feed. How can people go to work and children go to school without water?” asked Godfrey Segodr.
Resident Bella Kenosi added, “I have to come fetch water every day to cook food and wash clothes.”
On August 26, Rand West City Local Municipality (RWCLM) confirmed that the Water Department has ordered a replacement pump motor and is waiting for delivery. Until then, water challenges will continue, though tankers remain available.
“The municipality confidently assures the residents of Dan Tloome that water restoration is underway and will be completed very soon. We are fully committed to resolving this issue as quickly as possible,” said RWCLM spokesperson Phillip Montshiwa.
