JOHANNESBURG – Nearly six years on, and four months after Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero vowed action, a massive water leak at Kruispad Kerk in Randburg is still gushing.
Church leader Johan Kruger has condemned the city's slow response.
He says millions of litres of clean water have already been wasted. The leak has turned the property into a hazard and a symbol of the city’s neglect.
"A couple of months ago, they came, and they had a big meeting here, and they put up a couple of extra pieces of danger tape, that's all they did,” Kruger said.
He said residents in the area were concerned about possible drownings as the water was now deep.
“It is ludicrous that they have the audacity to tell us to use less water, and here's a leak with millions of litres of water that's been going for six years. It's an absolute shambles; the incompetence is beyond words.”
Kruger said various emails to different officials in the municipality proved unfruitful.
“I have spoken to so many people, I've emailed so many people, the last guy said to me I must give him a chance. That's almost a month ago, and I'm still waiting. So that's typical of their response, they promised, and they delivered nothing. It's ridiculous.”