Gang makes residents pay for water

Every day a Phomolong crèche owner has to drive five kilometres out of the area to her church to fill plastic containers with water.

The Phomolong informal settlement in Mamelodi, Pretoria has no running water in its standpipes. The municipality does send water trucks, but residents say they are often expected to pay for the water.

The crèche owner, who has lived in the settlement since 2004, says a gang called Boko Haram is making people pay. But, she says, residents are afraid to speak up. Her name has been removed for her protection.

“People are scared to even say their name. Here, people are afraid to put their heads up and complain, because if you do, then you are in trouble,” she said.

She said her crèche accommodates 30 children and needs a lot of water daily.

“I drive to my church in Lusaka,” she said.

In February, it was reported that residents of Ikageng, Nkandla informal settlement and other parts of Mamelodi had been held to ransom by Boko Haram gang members demanding money for water from the local reservoir.

A Phomolong resident who asked not to be named said the driver of a municipal water truck had asked her for money when she went to collect water. She could not afford to pay but shop owners and tavern owners did, she said.

Another resident who also did not want to be named said he had seen how people who spoke out against the Boko Haram gang were intimidated at gunpoint.

“They will always find you. I cannot be known for speaking out,” he said.

Community leader and activist at Asivikelane Petunia Mabiza said municipal water was trucked into Phomolong, but it was often at times when people weren’t home.

City of Tshwane human settlements MMC Ofentse Madzebatela said he did not know of criminals charging for water and urged people to report such incidents.

He said illegal water connections from the R3 and R4 reservoirs were the reason some standpipes in Phomolong had no water.

“The illegal connection to the bulk water line from the reservoir has affected pressure and flow of water. The city has a plan to address all illegal connections.”

We asked Gauteng police spokesperson Brenda Muridili if any cases of the illegal sale of water had been reported.

She said no adding: “There has been a water crisis affecting different areas in Mamelodi East, dating back four years.

“Members of the public have been encouraged to report any incidents of extortion to the police for a thorough investigation.”