Despite numerous assurances from the ANC/ActionSA led Tshwane Council that priority would be given to the repairing of water leaks in the area, more so due to the water crisis in the Gauteng area, water leaks remain a frustrating concern for residents.
This follows top politicians and officials from the Council urging the community to immediately report water leaks, so that much needed clean water would not be wasted by running down streets. However many residents in Ward 61 are still complaining of water leaks not being attended to, despite calling the Council to attend to the leaks. One of the streets where water has continued to leak for some time now, in on Erasmia’s Bodenstein Street where residents say that they are fed up with the Council dragging its feet in attending to the water leak, despite complaining to the Council numerous times.
Yusuf Chimbalange, (24) who is the caretaker of a property on Bodenstein Str where a few businesses trade from, told the Laudium Sun, “There has been a leak in front of the shops for about four weeks now and I just hope that the Council officials will take urgent action to address this ongoing water leak. This leakage is not only causing extreme water wastage, but the tar road is getting damaged bit by bit. This is also dangerous for the cars which pass by and also the kids who go to school as there could soon be a sinkhole here due to the continuous leakage. It might look like something small now. However, it could cause a huge problem for residents living in the area, if the leaking carries on. Our water bill has increased by over 20% since the leaking began and it is totally unacceptable that we pay for the water which we are not using or even wasting. This water is also a health hazard as it is attracting many insects which are breeding in the water.” A store owner at the property, Abdul Rahman (59) who is also affected by the water leakage, expressed frustration over the persistent water leak affecting his business and those living in the area. Abdul of Shams General Dealer told the Laudium Sun, “It is not only about the water wasting and running down the street, it is also about the safety and well-being of our community. What if someone outside the premises or down the street slips and falls in the pool of water?
What if a child gets sick from playing in the water which is being infected with various insects? I am really disappointed with the lack of action from the authorities in the Council. There were some people from Action SA that came here last week here to check the leak. They took photos and left.
It is now a week later and they have done nothing to fix the leak. We are not asking for any special treatment. All we as residents in the area are asking for, is for basic services. Fix the leak and let us live our lives without this unnecessary stress.
We need a permanent solution to prevent future leaks.” Zinhle Semolane (25) a florist who also works near the water leak on Bodenstein Street, told the , “I am passionate about planting flowers, but the persistent water leakage has disrupted my job. The leakage has made it difficult for me to work as I now have to use very little water in watering the plants due to low water pressure and the increased water bill. I wish the people from the Council would attend to the leak soon so that my flowers stay alive.”
