Water leaks and waste in Johannesburg ignored by ANC council

Water leaks and waste in Johannesburg ignored by ANC council
Water leaks and waste in Johannesburg ignored by ANC council

Welcome To the City of Joburg A World Class African City! – The opening sentence on the official website of the City of Johannesburg. How can the government call Johannesburg a world class city when there is nothing first class about the city? Granted there might be some areas that are well looked after, and maintained regularly but there are suburbs where the council does not even attend to problems. Suburbs that are progressing into slums, that are not maintained.

South Africa experienced a severe drought last year, and water restrictions are implemented in several places around South Africa. Level two water restrictions were applied for Johannesburg last year, and there is always the reminder to use water sparingly. Kroonstad is severely affected; people do not even have drinking water. Farmers in the Northern Cape, North West, Free State and Western Cape are affected by the water crisis.

Kruis Street, Johannesburg, bordering Hillbrow, Prairie Street, Rosettenville, and Olifant Street, Oakdene all have water leaks, and there might be much more around the city. The leaks have not suddenly appeared; the water has been running down the streets for several weeks now. Numerous people have reported the problem weeks ago, and have repeatedly phoned, but nobody has bothered to check the status or repair the leaks.

Water leaks and waste in Johannesburg ignored by ANC council - Olifant Road Oakdene
Water leaks and waste in Johannesburg ignored by ANC council – Olifant Road Oakdene

In Kruis Street, the leak is so bad; that sewage is spilling out and running down the street. While people go about their daily lives, with no concern, walk around the running water and litter. In Olifant Road, the constant running water is causing potholes to form in the road. Prairie Street is no better than Kruis street; sewage is beginning to run down the street, with litter thrown down by pedestrians. These leaks are not from private properties and are from the pavements outside of houses.

Johannesburg falls under the African National Congress (ANC) government, and service delivery is not happening. The ANC tell people to use water sparingly and rightly so, especially as the country has not recovered from the severe drought. The ANC know how desperate the situation is and yet, do not bother to maintain or repair leaks thereby allowing millions of litres of water to be lost.

The morons that run Johannesburg have to start taking responsibility and realize that the people have the power to make a difference. Perhaps the upcoming elections in August this year will be a surprise for all.

South Africa Today – South Africa News