Water tankers and 20 litre buckets common sight in parts of Gauteng due to water crisis
Some municipalities have been experiencing dry taps for nearly two weeks.
FILE: Sibusiso Ntuli and Themba Mtenyane own a hair salon in Kwaggafontein, Mpumalanga. Every day, they have to collect water in containers to use for their business because the taps in the area have been dry for years. Picture: Warren Mabona/GroundUp
JOHANNESBURG - Some Mogale City residents have slammed government for failing to ensure households have a reliable supply.
Some municipalities have been experiencing dry taps for nearly two weeks, including Krugersdorp, Kagiso, Munsieville among many others.
The water shortage is attributed to critically low levels at the Krugersdorp, Kenmare and Kagiso reservoirs - which the municipality says are caused by high consumption.
Residents said its unfair that they are suffering because of government’s failure to provide basic services.
Water tankers, Jojo tanks and 20 litre buckets have become a common sight in parts of Gauteng faced with a water crisis.
Elderly Munsieville resident, Richard Ledikwa said people in his community have resorted to collecting water at a nearby cemetery.
"I’m 78-years-old, my legs don't allow me to walk long distances with a wheelbarrow to fetch water. Now I have to pay people to go collect it for me," said Ledikwa.
Meanwhile, Kagiso resident Lavy Matshaba questioned why government is failing to supply water.
"To be honest, I think water has been turned into a scarce commodity," said Matshaba.
Residents said all they want is clarity on when exactly supply will be restored.
Meanwhile, Rand Water has confirmed that it has been pumping water to Mogale City and neighbouring areas at full capacity.
Rand Water spokesperson Makenosi Maroo said the bulk supplier isn’t linked to the recent supply challenges in Mogale City.
“There was an electrical fault. We started pumping half of our loads and then on Wednesday, the 6th of March, we started pumping full loads.”