SEBOKENG. – Frustration reached a boiling point in Sebokeng Zone 6 as residents, fed up with enduring nine months without water, took to the streets in protest on Monday, 27 May.

Dozens of angry residents barricaded roads with burning tyres, debris, and rocks to get the municipality’s attention and resolve their issues. Singing and chanting with placards on their neighbourhood’s main roads, the fuming residents caused significant disruptions. They had one demand: immediate action and answers from Emfuleni Local Municipality regarding their prolonged water crisis.
Public Order Police were swiftly deployed to the scene, where they managed to disperse the gathered crowds and later reopened the roads.
Speaking to Ster South, Andries Lekgode, a community leader in the area, said: “It’s been nine months without water for residents of Extension Three. As a community, we’ve engaged all relevant departments in the municipality without success. We were promised that water would be running from our taps on Friday, but to this day, our taps are dry.”
Lekgode added that water tanks are inconsistent in delivering to their area. “We are sick and tired of the games. The protest was our last resort. All we want is for the municipality to engage with us,” he added.
In response, ELM spokesman Makhosonke Sangweni said the municipality is aware of the water supply challenges in the area.
“Metsi-a-Lekoa received several reports of no supply and low pressure in the Evaton East Areas.
“On Monday, 27 May, our management held two meetings with the affected communities, and the municipality dispatched a team to investigate the cause of water shortages in the affected area,” he said.“After a necessary water supply network audit in Zone 6, technicians
suspected a leakage on a bulk pipeline supplying the area. Work to locate the leak and effect repairs commenced after the meetings and continues,” he added.