Johannesburg Water (JW) faced significant opposition from the residents of Phumla Mqashi, an informal settlement in Lenasia South, when they attempted to disconnect illegal water connections in the area. The operation, aimed at curbing illegal water use, was met with a strong backlash from the community on Tuesday, 12 November 2024.
The situation in Phumla Mqashi escalated dramatically as residents, in protest against Johannesburg Water's disconnection operation, took to the streets along the Golden Highway. Their anger turned violent, with crowds stoning police vehicles, muncipal vehicles and passing cars. Tensions further intensified as the unrest led to looting of shops in the area. This eruption of violence underscored the deep frustration and desperation felt by the residents.
Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officials, who were on-site alongside JW officials, were forced to use rubber bullets to disperse the angry residents.
“This operation was part of the Entity’s ongoing efforts to address the substantial challenges posed by unauthorised connections to the city’s water network, which are also a major contributor to water losses, and escalating the non-revenue water,” said Johannesburg Water spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala.
She added that Johannesburg Water was accompanied by JMPD officials. However, the operation was met with hostility and was abandoned shortly after it began.
“Community members mobilised and a stand-off ensued between JMPD and community members, who blocked off the two main entrances into the area the disconnections were taking place. Residents then threw rocks at Johannesburg Water and JMPD officials, who used rubber bullets to disperse the angry crowd. The operation was subsequently called off,” Shabalala explained
The protests in Phumla Mqashi took a more disruptive turn when protesters barricaded a section of the Golden Highway, specifically between Wimbledon and Sheffield Street, which connects Lenasia South and the informal settlement. This blockage not only intensified the tension but also paralyzed traffic in the area, further escalating the conflict between residents and authorities.
“Phumla Mqashi, is an area without a formal water supply infrastructure, was initially served by water tanks to meet residents' needs. However, due to ongoing land invasions and subsequent illegal water connections, these tanks were vandalised, leading to increased strain on the local water supply network,” she further added.
Shabala ended by saying that the operations team will discuss a way forward regarding implementing disconnections following the incident, as well as restoring water tank services in the area to assist in maintaining basic services for the community.
Johannesburg Metro Police Department spokesperson Xolani Fihla said in a statememt that motorists were advised to be aware of a closure on Golden Highway between Wimbledon and Sheffield Street in Lenasia South and Unaville due to ongoing protest action.
“The roads were barricaded by residents (at the time of the operation) in response to an illegal water connection operation conducted by Joburg Water, which involved the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and a private security company,” he said .
Fihla explained that during the operation, the team was met with hostility and pelted with stones, resulting in damage to three Joburg Water vehicles and one security vehicle. JMPD officers used rubber bullets to disperse the volatile crowd, and the operation was subsequently halted. A case of public violence will be opened at Lenasia South SAPS.
At the time of the protests Fihla had advised that the Golden Highway was currently blocked from traffic, motorists were advised to exercise caution and consider using alternative routes, such as Wimbledon, Sheffield Street, Drakensburg Road, or the N1 Highway.
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