Phumla Mqashi residents give Joburg Water 48-hour ultimatum to restore supply

JOHANNESBURG - Residents at Phumla Mqashi, in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg, say they are giving Joburg Water 48 hours to restore their water that was cut off earlier this month.

They are threatening further protests if their demands are not met.  

Earlier this month, the community chased away Joburg Water officials who came to cut off illegal connections in the area.

The water utility subsequently cut off the supply.

However, residents are unhappy with the water tankers availed to them.

Community Leader Sibonelo Makhubela says they’ve met with a Joburg Water official and handed over a memorandum of demands.

"We demanded that within 48 hours that valve must be opened, so they said they will give us the feedback, which means that feedback is for the memorandum but for us as the community we are demanding it within 48 hours."