By Palesa Matlala
- Lenasia South residents blocked the Golden Highway, demanding a permanent solution to their water crisis.
- Johannesburg Water blames vandalism for the shortages, but residents say they will keep protesting until they get water.
Motorists had to find alternative routes on Monday morning, 3 March, after angry residents of Lenasia South blocked the Golden Highway with burning tyres and rocks.
The community marched to the civic centre for the third time to hand over a memorandum listing their complaints about the ongoing water crisis.
The protest comes after Johannesburg Water cut off supply to the Phumlamqashi Informal Settlement, home to about 17,000 people, due to illegal connections and vandalism. Despite several protests, the issue remains unresolved.
In an attempt to help, the city installed 53 JoJo tanks in the area on 14 November 2024. However, residents say only eight are regularly refilled.
“We just want the government to extend the infrastructure so we can use the taps that were already here when we moved in,” said community leader Alfred Mcunywa.
He added that residents feel their constitutional rights have been violated.
Johannesburg Water issued a statement on 25 February confirming that vandals had damaged infrastructure at the inlet supplying Lenasia Hospital Hill, High Level and Cosmos reservoirs. The destruction has left several areas, including Vlakfontein, Lehae, Zakaria Park and Magson Manor, without water.
Authorities are still assessing the damage and working on urgent repairs, but residents say they are running out of patience.
Mcunywa said they now want the mayor and the premier to intervene, as they are struggling to raise money to take Johannesburg Water to court.
“We are tired of waking up without water, and we might end up sick with cholera because of relying on these JoJo tanks,” he said.
The Lenasia South community has vowed to continue protesting until their demands are met.
Pictured above: Lenasia South residents delivering their memorandum of grievances on Monday.
Image source: Palesa Matlala
