FOR almost a year the area has been without running water and people are tired of it.
The residents of Mmakau, near Ga-Rankuwa in Tshwane, North West, yesterday barricaded the busy Molefe Makinta Highway with burning tyres and big stones, preventing cars from entering or leaving the area.
“All we want is water. Water is life,” said angry resident Sello Moagi (37).
“I have two cups of water to bath myself and that is not enough. By blocking the road, we will show government how serious we are.”
Martha Senwamadi (43) said she spends about R60 a day on water. She has to buy from neighbouring areas.
“I have children. It is terribly difficult to care for them without water. I have to bath them and cook.”
She said it’s impossible to do the dishes without clean water but she has to keep the dirty water for a week.
The police were present to monitor the situation. No one was injured during the protest.
Tumelo Tshabalala from the Bojanala Municipality said: “Mmakau is supplied with water from Tshwane (Rand Water), the Brits Water Treatment Plant and a borehole system.
“The supply from Rand Water is affected by the restrictions of the department of water and sanitation. The borehole system is affected by the drought. We have no option but to supply water to the area in tankers.”