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FILE | Residents of Westbury, Coronationville, Newlands and surrounding communities block roads with burning tyres, rocks and branches during a protest over water shortage in Johannesburg
Some residents of Westbury and Coronationville in Johannesburg have once again blockaded roads leading into the township with tyres and stones, calling for an uninterrupted water supply.
They say they sometimes get water for a few hours, and on other days their taps are dry.
This is the first water-related protest in Westbury since September of last year, when residents demonstrated for days to highlight their plight.
Supply was restored, and for four months the township was quiet.
Following the recent interruptions, residents have vowed to continue protesting until water is permanently restored.
Westbury resident Candice Gadi says, “There is no water through our taps. What was meant to be a temporary solution, water tankers, has become a permanent situation. Now, I am starting to have a spinal problem because of having to carry water from the road.”
Another Westbury resident, Elaine Kerr, also complains that “you have to walk four streets to go fetch water from a borehole. It is not fair for our age.”
Johann Domingo, also residing in Westbury, told SABC News that “it’s almost a month now we have no water, it comes on at 10 o’clock and by 4 o’clock it is off again, you’ve got to do the washing. You’ve got to bathe, children have to go to school.”
