JOHANNESBURG, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- As the water crisis affecting communities in Johannesburg and parts of Pretoria deepened this week, prompting growing public frustration, a ministerial oversight visit to Joburg Water on Thursday reassured residents that interventions are underway and that conditions are expected to improve.
This came after an oversight visit to Midrand, one of the hardest-hit areas, led by Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina and Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, amid weeks of water shortages.
The delegation visited the Johannesburg Grand Central Water Tower, the President Park Reservoir and Ebony Park in Midrand, where they engaged with residents and assessed challenges on the ground.
"We are encouraged to report to residents who have been going through a difficult time that we are turning the corner, with the latest turnaround expected by Sunday. As of now, our communities have started receiving water as levels are doing well in the reservoirs," Hlabisa noted.
Despite an increasing number of communities affected by supply disruptions, the delegation said work is ongoing to repair reservoirs and stabilize pumping stations.
David Mahlobo, deputy minister of water and sanitation, described Gauteng Province's water system as "vulnerable," noting that most reservoirs were operating at below 60 percent capacity. He said challenges such as power outages and water leaks had exacerbated the situation, adding that expanding reservoir capacity and repairing leaks were key to addressing the problem.
Residents of Midrand, one of the hardest-hit areas in Gauteng Province for nearly two weeks, staged a protest earlier this week over the worsening water situation, while communities in Brixton and Westdene also voiced concerns. ■