Joburg Water says won’t be intimidated by Phumla Mqashi community

JOHANNESBURG - Johannesburg Water said it won't be intimidated by the community of Phumla Mqashi in Lenasia.

Residents of the informal settlement took to the streets on Monday, demanding that the utility restore water supply to the area.

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The protest followed the disconnection of illegal water connections by Johannesburg Water in November, which sparked the initial unrest.

Utility spokesperson, Nombuso Tshabalala, said that since the disconnections, reservoir water levels had improved.

"Johannesburg Water will not be reconnecting the illegal connections at the Phumla Mqashi informal settlement in Lenasia South. 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."