Johannesburg – Police said they were closely monitoring the situation along Golden Highway following protests in the Lenasia area after Joburg Water moved in to remove illegal connections.
Earlier Tuesday, (12 November 2024), there was a standoff between police and protestors, who complained that Joburg Water acted without giving any notice.
Residents of Phumla Mqashi in Lenasia said Joburg Water should have notified them before disconnecting their “illegal supply”.
Motorists were advised to be aware of a closure on Golden Highway between Wimbledon and Sheffield Street in Lenasia South.
A statement from the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) said: “This morning, Joburg Water was joined by the JMPD in a planned operation to disconnect illegal connections in Phumula Mqashi in Lenasia.”
Phumla Mqashi, an area without a formal water supply infrastructure, was initially served by water tanks to meet residents’ needs.
However, due to ongoing land invasions and subsequent illegal water connections, the tanks were vandalised, leading to increased strain on the local water supply network.
This operation is part of Johannesburg Water’s ongoing efforts to address substantial challenges posed by unauthorised connections to the city’s water network, which are also a major contributor to water losses.
“During the operation, the team encountered hostility and was pelted with stones, resulting in damage to three Joburg Water vehicles and one security vehicle,” the statement said.
“Protesters subsequently barricaded Golden Highway at Wimbledon Street and threatened to burn a Shoprite outlet.
“Officers were forced to use rubber bullets to disperse the volatile crowd, and the operation was temporarily halted.
“A case of public violence will be opened at Lenasia South Police Station.
“No injuries were reported to officials, and no arrests were made.”
The statement added: “Police are closely monitoring the situation along Golden Highway which is calm at the moment, following an earlier closure between Wimbledon and Sheffield Streets in Lenasia South and Unaville due to ongoing protest action”.
The operation was subsequently called off.
