Phumlamqashi residents give Gauteng premier 7 days to present a water restoration plan for area
A few years ago, the utility identified Phumlamqashi as a hotspot for illegal connections and launched several disconnection operations.
Phumulamqashi residents outside Joburg Water offices in Ennerdale. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/ EWN.
JOHANNESBURG - Residents of Phumlamqashi in Joburg South have given the Gauteng premier seven days to present a water restoration plan for their area.
A few years ago, the utility identified Phumlamqashi as a hotspot for illegal connections and launched several disconnection operations.
Despite repeated reconnections by residents, a massive crackdown last November left the community without running water.
On Friday, residents marched to Joburg Water’s Ennerdale depot to deliver a memorandum of demands.
Frustrated residents handed their memorandum to a representative from the premier’s office.
The document outlines strict deadlines they include a 48-hour window to respond to the community’s call.
READ: Phumlamqashi residents accuse Joburg Water of cutting supply without warning
Residents have also given a strict seven-day deadline for the premier to outline remedial action in this regard.
The digruntled group has added that a timeline of five months should be enough to install at least 30 communal taps.
While the group was unhappy with the absence of Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero and Premier Panyaza Lesufi during its demonstrations, a memorandum of the bold demands was handed to Gauteng deputy director of service delivery, Dan Bovu.
Bovu assured residents that their concerns would be addressed.
"We will respond, and in response, we will engage. The memorandum outlines both a seven-day and a five-month deadline, and we’ll act accordingly."
As the residents of Phumlamqashi await government action, they remain without running water.