Public meeting in Sophiatown over water

Sophiatown residents gathered at Extreme Park for a public meeting over water issues on 13 November.
Ward 86 Councillor Steve Kotze called on City officials to attend the meeting and address issues in the community. The day  before community members protested in the streets for their water plight.
Marita Steyn a resident of Sophiatown said, “Firstly we have been lied to and it is not the first time it’s happened.” She added, “They’ve given us so many excuses, all we want s answers, so that we can prepare.”
The only city official that did attend the meeting was Region B acting regional manager Robert Siwedi. He addressed the group and said, “This is an important opportunity to engage with the community and for them to present us with their issues in order to address them.”
He went on to explain that the water crisis is not unique to Sophiatown. “It is across the city and we are trying to mediate this with water tankers,” added Siwedi.
Dauw Steyn the chairperson of the Sophiatown Neighbourhood Watch commented, “We pay our rates and taxes and it is not acceptable that the City only responds days later with an inadequate water tank.”
Siwedi replied, “You [Sophiatown] are not the only ones that are experiencing this issue. It feels like that because you are here.” Kotze said that the location of the water tank was chosen because it has the most amount of light.
He also explained that Sophiatown is affected by the water issue because they are on the high lying part of the city. Therefore it is harder for Rand Water to pump water to the area as opposed to the lower lying regions.
ANC public relations councillor for Ward 69 Cathy Seefort was present at the meeting and her comment is awaited.
For most residents it was evident that the frustration of lack of service delivery is reaching  boiling point.