Taps run dry at Leeuwkop Prison

The Democratic Alliance’s Ward 93 councillor, Annette Deppe, recently called an emergency meeting with Patrick Mathye, regional manager of Johannesburg Water, to address the water cuts and related issues.

“On several occasions, we have had burst water mains on Tana and Naivasha roads in Sunninghill, and the immediate result is little or no water being available inside the prison. This is completely inhumane and unsanitary as the prison population – whether inmates or staff – has no access to additional water sources in the area,” said Deppe.

She expressed concern over the possible outbreak of health hazards at the populous prison.

Mathye confirmed that burst water pipes were caused by pressure inside the pipes, which the organisation struggled to contain.

“… as Johannesburg Water, we endeavour to address any situation as quickly as possible. Burst water mains in this area do not only affect the prison, residents and business owners in the vicinity, but it has a direct impact on the hospital situated in the suburb as well,” said Mathye during a community meeting held last week in the Leeuwkop area.

Leeuwkop Prison communications manager, Sanku Tsunke, told Fourways Review that the correctional services centre had experienced sporadic interruptions of water supply.

“However, not all areas within Leeuwkop were without water. Areas affected could still access water… [where it] was available. Therefore, the problem of water interruptions could not have caused any health crisis,” claimed Tsunke.

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