A housing complex in Randfontein has been without water for five days and they are ready to take legal action.
According to Laurence Lukas, a resident of the complex, the water went off on Friday morning, 5 February and since then they have been forced to use the complex’s fire hoses to get water.
It’s ludicrous. We were sent a letter after they had cut our water.
“The reason given to us in the letter was that some tenants have not paid their water and that is why they are cutting our water. I mean, I pay every month, why does my water have to be cut?” Lukas said.
He explains that for the past five days, it has been a struggle for him to do daily chores.
“Every morning and every evening there is a queue for water and using this water is not safe. This water is dirty and the fire hoses are broken so half of the water goes into the bucket and the other half just falls on the floor. What about the tenants who have small children?” he said.
When the Herald went to interview Lukas, almost all residents who were home from work at the time fit into his living room to tell of their frustrations regarding the complex.
Residents also complained about other issues within the complex including the complex gate not being able to lock as well as the property not being maintained the way it should be despite them paying a monthly levy towards maintenance.
We pay every month. We pay our levies and in return we get nothing. Where is my money going?
“The gate doesn’t lock. There are cracks in the walls, there is a sinkhole where we hang our washing and electrical points that are exposed. There are children here, they play innocently. What happens when they get hurt or die?” Lukas explained in exasperation.
With regards to the gate not being able to lock, Lukas said the residents have approached the relevant people and yet the issue persists. He explains that four cars and a car battery had been stolen from the complex in the last year.
What Lukas and the rest of the residents want at this point is a meeting with the body corporate to air their grievances and should they find no joy, they are looking to take legal steps on the matter. Most importantly, the residents of the complex want their water to be reconnected.
The Herald approached the body corporate for comment on the matter. At least one of the members is aware of the situation and will at a later stage give comment about the situation.
The Randfontein Local Municipality (RLM) was also contacted for comment on the matter to no avail as the relevant department could not be reached, however, more efforts will be made to reach the relevant department.
Want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us an SMS/ WhatsApp message with your name and cellphone number to 079 413 8726.
Familiarise yourself with our WhatsApp service disclaimer.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Roodepoort Record, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
