My wife and I moved to Benoni in 1975, left in 2001 and returned 15 months ago from Johannesburg.
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At the start of the new millennium, significant townhouse and cluster housing complex development had already taken place north of Celia Nestadt Road.
Upon moving back last year, we were surprised to note that although thousands of new units/flats/retirement villages had been built in Brentwood Park, closing the gap between Benoni and Kempton Park, no water infrastructure improvement had been provided to cater for the increased population.
Since mid-2015 we, and I believe parts of Northmead and Farrarmere, have suffered ongoing lack of water and or minimal pressure leading local inhabitants to store water in every conceivable type of container in an attempt to provide for those regular shortages.
From August 31 to September 5 we have not had one single day without interruption of supply.
In that time I have managed to have two hot baths and two hot shaves.
The water is often off from early morning and only comes on after bedtime.
My wife and I are fortunate that we are retired and have no children to get to school, but we are nevertheless ratepayers!
If one drives along Kirschner Road you will note that several complexes are in various stages of construction.
I have no doubt that the municipal building department licks its lips at the thought of the increased future revenue and approves building plans with alacrity.
If buyers were made aware of the lack of facilities they would not be so keen to purchase.
If we have these problems now, what is going to happen when national restrictions are enforced due to the poor rainfall and low dam levels?
Benoni used to be called the “Jewel of the East Rand” but I would certainly not encourage people to move here.
My neighbour informed me that she is considering selling due to the ongoing inconvenience.
Current owners would have to be less than transparent about the problems to facilitate a sale to an outsider.
Editor’s note:
The municipality had not responded to questions at the time of going to print.
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