WATCH: “We need water not answers” – South Hills residents up in arms

Angry residents of South Hills barricaded South Rand Road next to the Silver Ball with rocks and burning tyres due to certain parts of the South not having water for six days.

Residents have had enough after spending days without water and getting little to no help from Joburg Water and Rand Water to get their water supply restored.

The lack of water during a pandemic compromise health protocols. Some of the schools are closed as they cannot ensure adequate sanitation and hygiene.

This morning, August 31, the community took the streets to vent out their frustrations and ‘demand water, not answers’.

Along with the thirsty residents of South Hills is Ward 56 and 57 councillors Michael Crichton and Faeeza Chame

Chame said the only thing we want from them is the truth about when we going to get the water back. 

WATCH: Rand Water deals with contaminated water flowing into nature reserve

“We are not leaving here without answers”

One of the fuming residents responded to Chame: We don’t need answers, we need water. 

Councillors Crichton and Chame have escalated the water crisis to The South African Human Rights Commission, however, the situation hasn’t changed. 

WATCH: The South water issue escalated to human rights

Residents are urged to use water sparingly as the City is still under level one water restrictions as per Section 44 (3) of the Water Services By-law.

According to Eleanor Mavimbela, Joburg Water’s spokesperson JW has been in discussion with Rand Water about the restoration of water supply into the South Hills tower.

WATCH: Water finally back in South Hills

“Rand Water has undertaken to supplement their Palmiet system which feeds into the Meyershill Reservoir with water supply from their Eikenhof and Mapelton systems in an effort to boost supply,” he said.

This will assist the Meyershill reservoir to gain capacity and allow JW to start pumping water into the South Hills tower and restore water supply to affected areas.

“Water tankers have been dispatched to the affected areas and will remain there until the water is restored,” added Mavimbela.