Ikaneng residents fuming at water disruptions going on two years
‘It is a shame that our municipality cannot provide such a basic service that every human being is entitled to – water.’
Residents of Ikageng extension 3 in Mamelodi East are complaining about taps drying up.
They claimed that every single day since 2020, there is low water pressure or no water at all from 05:00.
Resident, Patience Makaunyane said life without water is very difficult.
“Our taps run dry from sunset before 05:00 and we are expected to spend until around 21:00 in the evening without water or with low pressure.”
She said it seemed there was no solution to whatever the problem is because this has been going on for almost two years.
The problem affects the whole of Ikageng extension 3.
“We have reported the matter to Tshwane metro and nothing has been done. Instead they bring a water tanker with dirty water to a community park next to Ikageng community hall without warning,” said Makaunyane.
“We want to know what the problem is and why has it taken so long to fix it.”
Makaunyane said the lack of communication by the metro was agitating the community more.
She said they would take their frustration to the streets soon because their complaints have gone unheard.
Residents further said they were expected to pay for services they did not even get.
Another resident, Steve Sithole said it was a shame that the metro cannot provide such a basic service that every human being is entitled to.
He said water is life so if one could not fill up their buckets from the tankers, they had to buy water for cooking and for bathing.
“We desperately need water because we have pensioners who need water to take their chronic medication,” said Sithole.
“No one is informing us about the water issue and our ward councillor is nowhere to be found… no public meeting at least to explain how the problem is being fixed.”
Earlier this year, concerned residents of Mamelodi called on the metro to prioritise the safety of Mamelodi reservoir 4 as vandalism was leading to water contamination.
They said the metal covers over the reservoir had been stolen and as a result, the water inside was exposed to all forms of contamination. Read also: The AERO aviation trade show returns after two-year break
He said the metro should post guards at the reservoir.
Sithole said it seemed they were paying for the tankers to bring water to the area.
“We want water from our own taps, not dirty water from the tankers.”
The metro had not commented at the time of going to print.
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