Angry Phumlamqashi residents protest as Johannesburg Water cuts off illegal water connections

JOHANNESBURG - Police and residents living in Phumlamqashi, an area without a water proper supply infrastructure, are currently in a stand-off with Johannesburg Water employees.

They’re busy switching off the water supply in the area.

On Tuesday morning, the team disconnected illegal water connections in the Lenasia area amidst the water crisis facing the metro.

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The situation quickly escalated, with police firing rubber bullets to disperse angry residents.

Residents began throwing rocks at Johannesburg Water workers and in response, police fired rubber bullets at the crowd.

Roads were barricaded with rocks and debris, and SAPS, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department officers, and a private security company are still on the scene to quell any potential violence.

Resident Benji Kalanko said that the illegal connections were a last resort taken by the residents after their pleas for a stable, clean water supply were ignored by the city.

Kalanko said that they would not stop until Johannesburg Water left them alone.

"We are the voters, we have the right. They must give us water. We will embark on a strike every time."

The residents remain steadfast in their refusal to leave until they are reassured that their water supply will not be cut off.