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[FILE IMAGE]: A drop of water falls from a tap.
Johannesburg Water has called off a planned illegal water disconnection operation shortly after it began this morning in Phumla-Mqashi informal settlement at Lenasia after four vehicles were damaged by protesting residents. The residents pelted the utility’s vehicles with stones.
The operation was part of the entity’s ongoing efforts to address challenges posed by unauthorised water connections.
Johannesburg Water Spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala, says, “Residents then threw rocks at Johannesburg Water and JMPD officials who then used rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. The operation was then called off. Community members mobilised and a stand-off followed between JMPD and community members, who blocked off the two main entrances into the area the disconnections were taking place.”
Water Crisis | Stand-off between residents and police in Lenasia: Neria Hlakotsa
Meanwhile, political parties have called for urgent intervention to prevent a full scale water scarcity crisis in the country.
Water and Sanitation Minister, Pemmy Majodina, delivered a statement to the National Assembly on water scarcity in the country.
The minister says there is enough water in the country, provided citizens start treating it as a scarce resource.
Wouter Wessels from the Freedom Front Plus says the country is facing a major crisis.
“We need urgent intervention Speaker. Day zero is a reality! Without electricity we can get by, we did, for many years, but can’t survive without water,” says Wessels.
