Metro suspects sabotage to be cause of poor water service in east
According to the metro, the sabotage caused low water pressure in the area following a dry spell due to maintenance delays.
Tshwane believes its infrastructure in the east of Pretoria may have been deliberately damaged.
According to the metro in a statement
A Mahindra bakkie was spotted in Rethabiseng Ext 4, situated between Bronkhorstspruit and Ekangala in Region 7, suspected to be behind a valve sabotage in the area.
The sabotage caused low water pressure in the area following a dry spell due to maintenance delays.
“It is presumed that the saboteurs of the water infrastructure are drivers of the bakkie in question, a supposition which is yet to be proven,” said metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo.
Mashigo said they were suspected of being hellbent on depriving residents of their right to clean potable water in and around Rethabiseng.
Tshwane condemns acts of possible water infrastructure sabotage in Rethabiseng pic.twitter.com/qEi7ZIN6rG
— City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) March 20, 2024
On March 19, the city reported that water had been restored in Ekangala and Rethabiseng, with the exception of Rethabiseng Ext 4, due to challenges experienced with the infrastructure network connection.
As a mitigating factor, water tankers were dispatched to the affected areas.
“Shortly after water supply had been restored and the deployment of water tankers stopped, reports have emerged from some quarters in the affected areas indicating possible sabotage in the form of tampering with the city’s infrastructure,” Mashigo said.
He said officials from the Tshwane metro police (TMPD) had been activated to conduct regular operations in the area.
Residents are also urged to write down the registration numbers of questionable vehicles and report these immediately to the TMPD on 012 358 7095/7096.
“This number is manned 24/7.”
Mashigo also clarified water allegations which had surfaced earlier last week that tap water in Riamar Park was brownish in colour, sparking fears of possible impurity.
“The city moved swiftly to conduct sampling in the said area. It was discovered that the water is colourless.”
Mashigo said the metro calls on the group involved in the disruption of clean drinkable water in the region to immediately desist from doing so, as this does not only threatens service delivery, but it also endangers the health of residents.
He added that the city condemned the act of tampering with essential water infrastructure.
Also Read: Former Tshwane employee arrested for corruption and tampering with infrastructure
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