A kwaad Mitchells Plain family say they haven’t had access to running water for the past SIX years despite paying their municipal bill every month.
Conrad Groenewald, 65, has been living with his wife Maureen, 76, in New Tafelsig for 32 years and says in 2014 their water was cut off.
On his plot, there are two dwellings where he stays with 17 relatives including his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The only time the family has running water is at 4.30am, but this only lasts for 20 minutes.
If they don’t wake up in time to fill their buckets, they have to go without water for the entire day.
The frustrated pensioner says: “Dis Covid-19 en hier is nie lopende water vir ons om ons hande te was nie, so jy moet maar net hoop vir die beste.”
Groenewald says he’s been back and forth with the municipality in efforts to resolve the issue with their water access problems in their home.
“I’ve been to the council offices, but all they tell me is that the fault is here on the property.
“But how can I fix it when the water is off? It’s been six years that I’ve been struggling. I pay my bill every month.”
Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Waste Xanthea Limberg says it’s not their fault.
“The resident receives a daily allocation of 350 litres of water, and City records reflect that this supply has been delivered without interruption throughout the period indicated.
“A team visited the property on 26 August to investigate the matter and found that the client’s daily water allocation of 350l had been depleted for the day.
“The team checked for possible leaks on the property, but none were found.”