Frustration is boiling over as residents accuse the Rand West City Local Municipality of negligence after enduring weeks without water under ongoing level two restrictions.

On November 4, angry residents gathered in protest, saying the municipality’s failure to provide reliable water access has left families, schools, and the elderly struggling to survive.

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“Water is a basic human right, but now most residents have to fetch water from the informal settlement close by,” said Thabang Chacha, director of Be the Future Foundation. “We never know when the water truck will come. Our grandmothers and grandfathers cannot go on with this struggle.”

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At the Tsholofelo Edu-Care Centre, staff say the crisis is threatening children’s well-being.

“We have to ask parents to let their children bring two-litre bottles just so we can flush toilets,” said Thabile Nhleko. “We’re working with babies, yet our hands are dirty. Water is life – and it’s something everyone deserves.”

Community leader Molatlhegi Sethepo added that municipal leaders have failed to offer answers.

“They demand that we pay rates and taxes, yet they don’t pay their debts. Children are missing school, and elderly people can’t carry heavy water buckets,” Sethepo said.

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Municipal spokesperson Phillip Montshiwa acknowledged receipt of questions from the Randfontein Herald but had not provided feedback by the time of publication.