A SHOCKING story of a 74-year-old Welheminah Coppenhagen who had had her water disconnected for six months due to lack of payment prompted a quick intervention and solution.
William Ntsanwisi, who is a committee member of the David Webster ANC branch in ward 5,7 said he heard of the plight of Welheminah during a public meeting at the South Hills Recreation Centre. At this meeting the MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services Matshidiso Mfikoe spoke to the public and educated the elderly about how they could get assistance when they are living in such situations as they are entitled to help.
According to Ntsanwisi,”Welheminah was disconnected since January as her meter was taken away to the Johannesburg Water Offices. Bev Turk and I took Welheminah to Thuso House in Braamfontein, where she was registered for the Expanded Social Package (ESP) and we engaged the MMC to mitigate on her behalf. On Tuesday, June 28, Welheminah was reconnected and when I visited her the next day, she touched my heart with her excitement.”
According to Ntsanwisi, a representative from Johannesburg Water said it was illegal for officials or contractors to remove water meters as a credit control measure.
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