Frustration boiled over in the Dan Tloome Mega City Project today, November 12, as residents took to the streets to protest ongoing water shortages.

The protest began early in the morning when residents blocked Road Number 6 and all entry points into the development. Police were on scene to maintain order.

• Also read: Rand West City water crisis: Critical shortages across many suburbs

Residents voice their frustrations

Griet Martlow said water is a basic necessity, yet Dan Tloome residents have gone nearly a month without any supply.

“We carry buckets of water every day, and it’s exhausting. We cannot go on like this,” she said.

Zweli Tsone added that residents have repeatedly tried to escalate the matter, but their efforts seem to fall on deaf ears.

“Last week we engaged with the municipality, and to this day we’ve received no proper communication. A month ago, the mayor promised we would have water, and we still don’t. They keep allocating residents, but they don’t have the capacity to care for them,” Tsone said.

• Also read: Ward 9 residents invited to discuss local issues

Another resident, Trish Kapata, shared the daily difficulties caused by the lack of water.

“When using the bathroom, everything gets dirtier. Even my perfume doesn’t help anymore. We have elderly people who need water every day. There are no water tankers, and the water we’re forced to drink is dirty. They’re not taking us seriously,” she said.

• Also read: No water, no answers – Bekkersdal residents demand action

Councillor Alwyn van Tonder and Mayor William Matsheke later arrived at the protest to address the community’s concerns.

@caxton.jhbwest During a protest by Dan Tloome residents due to their lack of water, Mayor William Matsheke and Councillor Alwyn van Tonder address the concerns of the residents. #DanThloome #servicedelivery #water #protests ♬ original sound – Caxton JHB West 

Councillor explains the situation

Van Tonder confirmed that residents have been facing water issues for years.

“The current issues, such as Rand Water restricting the municipality by 20%, are making the existing problems worse,” he said.

He explained that the development has three pumps supplying water to the walk-up flats, but only one is currently functional. The mayor and the MEC for Human Settlements, together with the developer, have agreed to repair the faulty pumps.

“The contractor has been appointed, and repair work is ready to commence,” he said.

• Also read: UPDATE: Current reservoir water levels critically low

@caxton.jhbwest During a meeting with residents after a protest about water shortages in Dan Thloome, Randfontein, Ward Councillor Alwyn van Tonder tried to address the residents about their concerns but they (the residents) weren’t having any of it. #protests #water #servicedelivery #DanThloome ♬ original sound – Caxton JHB West 

He added that the repairs could take up to seven days to complete.

“It’s important to remember that even if the booster pumps are repaired, the water restrictions imposed by Rand Water can still result in low reservoir levels from time to time,” he emphasised.

• Also read: Glenharvie water outage continues as Bekkersdal residents also run dry

The Randfontein Herald also contacted municipal spokesperson Phillip Montshiwa for comment, but no feedback has been received yet.