Residents living in apartments in Angelier Street, Reiger Park, are at their wits’ end as they are struggling to get the metro to attend to their water and electricity complaints.
According to a concerned resident, the entire block is sitting with water pressure problems, leaving residents without water for most of the day.
“This issue has been going on for approximately five years now and was reported to the municipality and Ward 34 Clr Charles Crawford,” said the resident who wished to remain anonymous.
“If we’re lucky, we can squeeze a small amount of water out early in the morning and then we’re without water for most of the day.
“Water is a necessity we don’t have and it’s extremely unpleasant. We’re struggling to do basics like cleaning, cooking and laundry without water. We can’t even take a hot bath and have to fill buckets to help us with daily tasks.
“We’re still trying to determine what the cause of the problem is as the metro could not tell us what the fault is as yet.”
Another resident said that they have been living without electricity for about five years now. It appears that there is a problem in the main box that is causing the apartment’s electricity to trip.
The resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said that they’re unable to make use of a private electrician as the building belongs to the metro.
“It’s very difficult to live without electricity for all these years. I have to rely on friends and family if I want to cook or take a hot bath. We can’t even watch television and there’s nothing we can do about it.
“After the matter was reported, an electrician was sent to our apartment, but he told us that he is unable to assist us as he is only allowed to work with electricity boxes outside and we have problems with the electricity box inside.
“The metro said that they will send another electrician to assist us, but we’re still waiting.”
About six months ago, a generous neighbour started helping the family by giving them his electricity through an extension.
“We’re so grateful for our neighbours’ help. I don’t know what we would’ve done without it. At least I can cook our dinner at home now. However, I don’t know for how long he will be able to do it for us.
“We just want the metro to fix the problem and restore our electricity.”
Residents are also concerned about a development in the vicinity of the apartments.
According to resident Kevin Koopman they have now turned to metro for assistance as they were not informed about the development and the safety and health hazards the development might cause.
Nhlanhla Cebekhulu, metro spokesperson, confirmed that the complex is a property owned by the metro.
“All queries and complaints are reported to housing liaison officer and caretaker who are based in Boksburg CCC. The issues are received and processed in line with the approved Rental Stock Policy of Council and the solutions to these issues are based on the availability of funds,” said Cebekhulu.
“Due to heat waves, inadequate rainfall as well as high consumption, a lot of stress has been placed on the country’s water situation. Ekurhuleni is not an exception. Residents will from time to time experience low water pressure.”
In this regard, he is urging residents to use water sparingly
“We are working on putting in place storage tank at the bottom of the flats to fit a boaster pump to compliment the pressure.”
He added they will have to investigate circumstances around the development that residents are concerned about.
