Residents battle to live without water
Tsakane residents say that living without water is one of the biggest challenges with which they are faced.
According to Elizabeth Shabangu, one of the residents in Tsakane, they were forced to live without water for three days since last Friday.
She added that, because living without water means no life, she had to hire the owner of a bakkie to fetch water for her from KwaThema.
“Others had to look for water in Duduza and KwaThema to be able to drink and cook,” said Shabangu, adding that the stench that came from the toilets was unbearable.
She said when the water supply comes back, they ensure that they fill big containers with water that will last them for at least five days.
“Because, we do not know if and when the water supply will be cut again, we need to always be prepared,” she said.
Another Tsakane resident, Thabo Motloung, appealed to the metro for trucks to deliver water to residents in the township.
“The metro is aware that some areas in Ekurhuleni, including Tsakane, have, over the past days, been experiencing low water pressure or no water at all, especially during peak demand periods,” said metro spokesman Themba Gadebe.
He explains the cause of the water interruptions is a result of water in the reservoirs falling below the minimum levels required, due to high demand.
Gadebe appealed to the residents to use water responsibly, by stopping all forms of irrigation and filling of swimming pools.
Residents are also urged to report any burst pipes and to repair leaks on their properties, to prevent water loss.
“The metro apologises for any inconvenience caused through the unplanned water interruptions and assures consumers that the technical maintenance teams are working to restore the water supply,” said Gadebe.
In a statement issued by the DA’s Clr Bruna Haipel, it is stated that the DA is leading the charge to find answers to questions about the recent water crisis and a response from the metro.
“The DA has requested a report on both the original problem, as well as which plans were in place and what steps were taken to ensure that the water shortages had as little impact as possible on residents,” said Haipel.
