News

City of Tshwane, gated community face off over water cuts

todayJuly 16, 2024 8586 1

Background
share close

The body corporate of Bangladesh Heights, near Pretoria, will be squaring off with the City of Tshwane in court over the cutting of water supply to residents.

Speaking with YNews, City of Tshwane spokesperson, Lindela Mashigo, said owners of the complex owed the municipality roughly R11 million in unpaid water bills.

On Friday, officials took a decision to shut down the water supply following what the city has described as months of back-and-forth.

The move has affected almost 1 000 people in the gated community.

Mashigo claims the city has been struggling for years to get Bangladesh Heights owners to pay their outstanding debt, leading illegal reconnections.

However, body corporate officials have accused the city of tampering with water meters, saying they are being exploited.

A source close to the matter alleges the complex had at one point received an incorrect bill of R8 million.

The body corporate will argue its case in today, in an effort to interdict the water cuts and cancel the debt.

Mashigo says he’s confident the city will emerge victorious in their effort for accountability.

And as owners and the city prepare to battle it out in court, tenants remain uncertain of when their water supply will be restored.

YNews spoke with Bangladesh Heights resident, Sean Thompson.

The diabetic father of one says the lack of clean water has put the health of both young and old in the community at risk.

“It’s unfair not just for us, but for our elderly people. It’s dangerous because what happens in an event where you need to take your medication and you don’t have water,” he said.

“These elderly people are prone to infections. You can’t just expect them to bathe in a bucket,” he added. Written by Naomi Kobbie

Written by: Lindiwe Mabena

Rate it

0%