Lenasia South residents who are frustrated have threatened to shut down a major Johannesburg highway next week as the worsening water crisis leaves households without supply.
According to the report, residents of the Phumlamqashi informal settlement plan to stage a massive shutdown on 3 March 2025, impacting operations on all roads in Phumlamqashi, the Golden Highway, and Sheffield Road in Lenasia South.
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Ward councillor Puseletso Celestina Nzimande confirmed on Wednesday that the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) is aware of the planned action. Law enforcement and intelligence units will closely monitor the situation.
“The government is aware, and they know how to put safety measures in place… They have the right to march, but they must not disturb people going to work,” said Nzimande.
Nzimande attributed the crisis to the Lenasia South reservoir’s inability to cope with demand, compounded by illegal water connections. She explained that Johannesburg Water had previously implemented a rotational water supply schedule, cutting off supply from 1 pm to 5 pm daily.
However, following recent maintenance work by the city, the water supply has become even more erratic.
“Sometimes the water does not come back. After last week’s maintenance, the situation worsened. There is no water in our area,” she said.
Therefore, Illegal water connections in informal settlements remain a major point of contention.
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“Residents were warned that if illegal connections were not addressed, one day we would wake up with our taps dry. Now, Phumlamqashi residents are demanding that the City of Joburg reconnect them,” Nzimande added.
“They don’t want JoJo tanks. Joburg Water trucks have been delivering water from 5 am until late in the evening, yet residents remain unsatisfied,” Nzimande said.
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To mitigate the crisis, Johannesburg Water attempted to distribute JoJo tanks to affected residents. However, the offer was rejected.
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