Residents in Elandsfontein left without water for eight months

The residents of Wally Hayward flats in Elandsfontein voiced their grievances after eight months without water from the CoE.

Some residents feel they have nothing to celebrate on Human Rights Day because their most fundamental human right is being violated, despite the nation recently celebrating this day.

The CoE owns the apartment buildings, and occupants haven’t had access to water since last June.

Ward 92 Clr Kade Guerreiro of the CoE said there is no indication why the water delivery ceased.

ALSO READ: City educates learners about water conservation to mark National Water Week

Because of their circumstances, residents have linked hose pipes from the fire hoses to the piping system.

They use this water to drink, bathe, cook and do all the chores needed.

According to Guerreiro, the residents thought the city was not maintaining the building, so they had stopped paying their rent to the CoE four years earlier.

“I inherited these problems when I became a councillor of Ward 92. Residents owe the municipality about R4m as an outstanding rental fee.

“Residents continued to receive water and power despite the debt. Since last year, the water supply has been cut even though the electricity is still on.

“Despite my best efforts, I have been unable to find out why the water supply was cut off. A multidisciplinary strategy is required to address the problems these apartment occupants face.

ALSO READ: Locals urged to use water sparingly following recent high demand

“The foundation of these apartments is beginning to crack, and things worsen when it rains. The city declared them condemned last year.

“How healthy is the water the inhabitants drink from those fire hoses is the question? Mould on the building presents another difficulty,” said Guerreiro.

Guerreiro saying that in 2021 cleaners came to sweep the yard, clean the stairwells, sweep up the trash and put it in the right location for collection.

Despite living in the apartments for 11 years, Maria Strydom said that, over time, the units’ condition had deteriorated.

“The place is infested of rats, though I don’t have any in my place, which, I suspect, is because of my cat,” said Stydom.

“There is a water leak in the bathroom roof. When the floor is wet, anyone could trip and fall. The main bedroom light does not work because an electrician was never called to fix the water damage.

“Due to our shared health problems, my spouse and I are considering moving into a retirement centre. It is tough for our cancer-stricken residents to live in unsanitary conditions like these,” said Strydom.

One of the residents asked her brother from Primrose to bring her water bottles so she could drink.

“I also buy drinking water solely. For all other purposes, we use the accessible available water from the fire hose,” said Strydom.

The GCN sent a request for comment to the CoE media team, requesting comment by March 28 at 10h00. By the time of going to print, we had received no comment.