Rubber bullets fly as Lenasia residents resist Joburg Water cut-off
Taps in Phumulamqashi ran dry on Tuesday morning, sparking outrage among residents who demanded the immediate restoration of their water supply.
Johannesburg Water announced last week that it would embark on an aggressive operation to curb non-revenue water losses amid the constrained water supply in the metro.
This comes as Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina announced on Monday that water throttling would be implemented in the metro between 9 pm and 4 am from Thursday.
Police used rubber bullets to disperse the angry crowd, which had begun pelting stones at officials.
Disgruntled resident Sibusiso Ndlovu described the surprise operation as unjustified and uncalled for.
“I can agree that we’ve held several meetings with Johannesburg Water to strategise on how we deal with this illegal connection of water. As much as we understand and acknowledge the problem, we don’t agree that water must be cut off immediately and without any warning,” lamented Ndlovu.
Ward 120 councillor Puseletso Nzimande stated that her discussions with the water utility revealed that the informal settlement is responsible for most water leaks.
Nzimande said she was also unaware of the cut-off operation.
“As a councillor, I wasn’t informed about the operation. Even our regional Joburg Water wasn’t informed. Apparently, there are ongoing meetings with the minister and the mayor regarding the issue of water because of the stage one water restrictions.”
READ MORE: Joburg Water to implement water reduction from Monday
Meanwhile, nearby stores were looted, and parts of the Golden Highway were barricaded by protestors.
Officers from the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) and private security accompanied officials from Joburg Water.
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said a case of public violence would be registered at the Lenasia South police station after officials were targeted by the angry crowd.
“The team was met with hostility and pelted with stones, resulting in damage to three Joburg Water vehicles and one security vehicle. JMPD officers used rubber bullets to disperse the volatile crowd, and the operation was subsequently halted.”
Fihla said motorists should avoid the Golden Highway between Wimbledon and Sheffield streets.
“As the Golden Highway is currently blocked to traffic, motorists are advised to exercise caution and consider using alternative roads such as Wimbledon, Sheffield Street, Drakensburg Road, or the N1 Highway.
Law enforcement was still on high alert at lunchtime on Tuesday as the situation remained volatile.
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