Phumlamqashi informal settlement residents protest over ongoing water issues

JOHANNESBURG - Aggrieved residents of Phumlamqashi in Lenasia South have once again taken to the streets over ongoing water issues.

The community has been in a longstanding dispute with Joburg Water since their illegal connections were cut off in November.

Illegal water connections are unauthorised taps into municipal water supply systems.

At around 4am on Friday, residents took to the streets blocking roads with burning tyres, rubble, and rocks.

The protest was the latest in a series of demonstrations by community members who said they were being denied their basic human right to water.

The march began outside a local shopping centre in the informal settlement and ended at Joburg Water’s Ennerdale depot.

Community leader, Alfred Mxunya highlighted their struggle:

"There is no water in the entire area. Even Shoprite and the surrounding centre are without water."

While the protest was peaceful, a heavy police presence monitored the scene outside the depot.