Joza residents frustrated by a prolonged water outage set up burning barricades Thursday 2 October. A group of residents from Ncame and Joza streets in Phumlani set tyres and other material on fire and barricaded the four way stop on Ncame Street early in the afternoon.
Joza residents frustrated by a prolonged water outage set up burning barricades Thursday 2 October. A group of residents from Ncame and Joza streets in Phumlani set tyres and other material on fire and barricaded the four way stop on Ncame Street early in the afternoon.
The residents were fed up with the ongoing water cuts and resorted to protest.
When Grocott's Mail arrived at the scene, two police vehicles were already there.
Police officers at the scene refused to speak to the media, but said they were merely there to monitor the situation, because earlier on children were throwing stones.
Residents who were at the protest refused to speak on the record, saying they did not want to be accused of orchestrating the protest.
Speaking to Grocott's Mail on condition of anonymity, one resident said, "We are thirsty. Why would we not burn things. We have been waiting here since eight this morning but the water truck has not arrived."
The protesters said they were told that a water truck would come to the area to provide water, but they grew increasingly irritated when that did not happen.
Phumlani resident Masixole Sam said some members of the community ended up abandoning their buckets and headed home.
Its now the third day that township residents are without water this week. Residents who have been hit hard by the water outage had been waiting for the Makana municipality truck to supply water.
"Its now 12 and it has not come, these people are making us feel like fools, because we have been standing here since 8am and some people have left because they do not think any truck will come," one resident said.
According to Makana updates on Mobisam, the pipe which has broken down at the James Kleynhans water works on the outlet of Bothas Hill reservoir which supplies the Eastern side of town is still not fixed.
The municipality said the technicians deployed to repair the 450mm diameter pipe could not finish the repairs on Wednesday due to the unavailability of VJ rubbers.
They said they were expecting to finish repairs by the end of the day Thursday.
Miles street and the Kingswood area, which are also supplied by the Botha's Hill reservoir, were not affected as their water supply has been switched over to the Waainek system, according to Makana.
Makana will have trucks going around to all the affected areas, but residents who can't find them are urged to call the Fire Department on 046 603 6000 between 4pm and 8pm and the Engineers Department on 046 603 6063 between 8am and 4:30 pm.
