SEBOKENG. – Dozens of Zone 11 residents blocked several roads including Moshoeshoe with debris, burning tyres and rocks over electricity and water supply.

According to community leaders, they have been plunged into darkness and their taps dried for months without any assistance.

The protest started on Sunday evening and continued throughout today (Monday) with residents refusing taxis and cars.

Songs and chant was the order of the day. Speaking to Vaalweekblad, Solomon Peterson a resident in the area said:

“For almost two months now, we have been sitting in the dark and our taps have been without water. We tried to approach relevant stakeholders (Eskom and Emfuleni Local Municipality) in an attempt to solve the problem but we have been taken from pillar to post.”

Peterson said residents took to the street to make a statement that life can’t continue normal while they suffer.

“We are not going to open these roads until our water and electricity are back,” he added.

Addressing the protesters, Councillor Mapitso Molepo said “I am aware of the problems and informed the municipality and Eskom. If they fail us in restoring services I can only go with police and let them know that people are angry.

“I stay in the same area and you know I have tried to resolve these issues,” he said.

Emfuleni spokesman Makhosonke Sangweni said the municipality is aware of the water issues in Zone 11 and their team will further work towards resolving the issue.

“Metsi-a-Lekoa water section team in Sebokeng is aware of water challenges in Zone 11 next go the clinic. The team has been investigating the network and the cause of it over the past few weeks, but with limited positive results,” he said.

Sangweni further added that after attending to several leaks in and around the area, the team made a breakthrough and discovered a collapsed valve in the network that may be restricting  supply to consumers in the affected parts of Zone 11.

“The team also found that main valves needed to isolate water supply to the affected area from all of Sebokeng were vandalised and non functional. This has resulted in the delay to work on the collapsed valve in Zone 11. 

“Metsi technicians have committed to replacing the collapsed valve tomorrow with the hope of resolving the Zone 11 water challenge permanently,” he said.

Sebokeng Police spokesman Captain Teboho Lephoto confirmed that the road was barricaded. “We dispatched our Pops Unit to monitor the situation”.