Metro warns Moreleta Park informal dwellers over hydrant usage
The Pretoria east informal settlement residents persisted in using the hydrant event after the metro warned them against using fire hydrants, saying only its engineers were permitted to use them.
The Tshwane metro has warned dwellers behind Plastic View to halt the use of a fire hydrant on Brabham Street or face a penalty not exceeding R20 000.
This follows as a truck seemingly arrives at times to fill water to service the informal residents of Plastic View, while others carry out laundry duties at the hydrant.
The metro said the fine would be imposed or charges leading to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months if the fire hydrant continued to be used by the dwellers.
This also follows representatives of a property dubbed the “White House” in Moreleta Park attempting to stop the use of a hydrant.
The fire hydrant in question is situated at the top of Brabham Street, east of Pretoria just behind Plastic View.
Pretoria east informal settlement dwellers persisted in using it even after the metro warned them against using fire hydrants, saying only its engineers were permitted to use them.
Deirdre van Helsdingen representing the “White House” property owners, vowed that they would attempt to safeguard and secure the area.
She said the community had grown tired of a truck collecting water for the Plastic View informal settlement.
Van Helsdingen said communities such as Meadow Glen Estate residents and owners of the ‘White House’ property were angered. “I have been warning them several times to move the water point,” she said.
She said the water point had now lured dwellers from Plastic View to the area to hijack water as well as do their laundry, which further contaminates the Moreleta Spruit.
According to municipal by-laws, no one is allowed to interfere with the provision of water supply services.
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the fire hydrant would be locked and only accessed by authorised personnel.
Mashigo said this persistent abuse and unauthorised use of the hydrant will be investigated by the police.
“Fire hydrants are used for extinguishing fire and the city in response to Section 27 of the Constitution of South Africa declared some of the fire hydrants as the draw points for rudimentary water to be provided to informal settlements.”
He said the fire hydrant located at the top of Brabham Street is also declared as the water drawing point but permitted only to authorised personnel.
“The city will urgently investigate and stop any abuse by residents of Plastic View.”
Mashigo said Plastic View is provided with rudimentary water through 10 000 litres of mobile water tanker daily.
“The city is busy with the development of Pretorious Park Ext 40 as an alternative site of accommodation for Plastic View [residents] as per court order.”
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