Now beneficiaries at flats experience dry taps too
The 250 families claimed they had been without water for the past three weeks.
The water crisis in Mamelodi is something that is unlikely to end overnight, as residents experience more dry taps.
This week, beneficiaries who live in the flat units in Mamelodi ext. 5 next to the Matimba Sinqobile Integrated Centre claimed to be the latest victims of the water crisis.
The 250 families claimed they had been without water for the past three weeks.
A resident, Annah Chauke said the water crisis started about three weeks ago when a water pipe burst in Solomon Mahlangu Drive, leaving many houses with dry taps.
Chauke said they thought once the burst pipe is fixed, everything will go back to normal.
She claimed Tshwane metro needed to address the water crisis in Mamelodi as soon as possible.
“Life is hard without water and we are staying in blocks of flats. Every day is a struggle with heavy water buckets up and down the stairs,” said Chauke.
“We have elderly people staying in the flats who are on chronic medication and they can’t take it without water,” she said.
“We have accepted load-shedding, and power cut schedules, but not the water crisis.
“People will die from thirst while some will miss their medication,” she added.
Residents believe illegal connections to the reservoir’s water pipes are the main reason for the persistent outages.
Another resident, Mina Hlatswayo said: “We are unable to wash, bathe and cook.”
She said their children’s health was at risk, including senior citizens who are on chronic medication.
“There is a water truck that delivers for us but it’s not enough, because they quickly run out.
“We have residents who come as far as extension 6 in Mamelodi to fetch water,” said Hlatswayo.
Just a week ago, Mamelodi East protesting the ongoing water crisis prevented people from registering for the 2024 elections at the Ikageng community hall.
They claimed the water problems in Ikageng ext. 3, Mahube Valley, Mamelodi East phases 3 and 4 started four years ago, with low pressure to no water at all, affecting schools in the area.
“No voter registration will take place at the Ikageng community hall before Tshwane addresses the water crisis,” they threatened.
Rich Chauke (56), who is disabled, also has to cope without water.
“Every day is a battle to climb the stairs to my first-floor flat.
“Dealing with the stairs is just too much for my health, but now we have to fetch water with water buckets and these water buckets are heavy,” he told Record.
He pleaded with the Tshwane metro to take the water crisis seriously.
Chauke added that the water truck does not come every day. “We have to fetch water from a nearby fire hydrant.”
Record is still waiting for the Tshwane metro to comment.
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