– Fed-up residents in Ezinambeni, Hlalanikahle, Duvha Park took to the streets on Tuesday, March 5, in a powerful display of frustration and desperation, demanding access to a basic necessity – water.
The residents, who have endured more than two weeks without water supply, are not alone in their plight. Surrounding areas like Ezinambeni, Hlalanikahle, Emswagweni, and Vosman have been grappling with a severe water shortage for over three months.
Adding insult to injury, the residents have raised concerns about the poor quality of the water supplied by the Emalahleni Local Municipality through JoJo tankers.
The situation reached a boiling point during the protest, causing traffic congestion from KG Mall and Klipfontein road towards Duvha as residents voiced their grievances loud and clear.
Speaking with the Highveld Chronicle, a community member in Ezinambeni extension 10 , Simphiwe Vilakazi said, “ We are tired of complaining about water, and the municipality is dragging its feet. For three months now, since there has been no water in Ezinambeni, we only rely on JoJo tankers.”
“The water is undrinkable. We had hope that the new mayor will step up and do better but here we are still suffering.” she added.
Phumlani Khoza said, “ We are being failed by this government or should I say the Emalahleni Local Municipality. In Duvha Park we are paying for water services but we don’t have water in our taps. They don’t care about us.”
“We have been promised that we will receive water on Monday but still nothing. Our toilets are smelling bad because there’s no water to flash.” he added.
The Emalahleni Local Municipality said, “Pending the amount of water, the high level will be pumped into the water supply to the areas at high level; the water supply will be restored. Point B-C areas water supply should be restored this afternoon.”
According to the Emalahleni spokesperson, Lebo Mofokeng the water supply situation should start stabilising by this evening and tomorrow, pending increased pumping from the source which is currently being optimised to its full capacity in order to recharge the system but still no change.
