Chaos as utility tries to cut illegal connections

As the city attempts to address widespread water issues in Johannesburg, residents of Phumlamqashi informal settlement, in Lenasia South, blame Johannesburg Water for failing to honour their requests for a stable supply.

- Thando Nondywana

Community members clashed with Johannesburg Metro Police Department officers over the cut-offs of illegal water connections yesterday. Angry residents said they were not informed of the disconnections.

They hurled stones at officers, who fired rubber bullets. Johannesburg Water officials abandoned the operation amid the clashes.

The violence spread to the Golden Highway, where delivery trucks at a nearby cash and carry bulk supplier were looted and items scattered on the highway.

Residents said they had resorted to illegal water connections because it was the only solution to a longstanding water crisis in their community. They said their requests for water were ignored by the city.