Press release: LHR successful in having water restored to Blyvooruitzicht community

LHR has succeeded having water restored – once again – to the Blyvooruitzicht community after their supply was cut off without notice.

The community turned to the high court in June last year when their water supply was suspended by the Merafong Municipality. The parties managed to settle the matter with an interim agreement to reconnect supply.

On Wednesday, LHR launched a new application on the community’s behalf seeking an order preventing the future disconnection of water and directing the municipality, Rand Water and members of the national and provincial governments to work together to develop and implement a plan to restore, renew or replace the crumbling water and sanitation infrastructure.

The next day, Thursday, the community woke up to find that their water had been disconnected again – without notice and no alternative supply. On Friday, community members found that the valve on the water pipe had been closed and padlocked.

In an urgent bid to fix the situation, LHR brought a spoliation application yesterday, Saturday, against the municipality and Rand Water, seeking the immediate restoration of water.

We managed to settle the matter without appearing in court with Rand Water agreeing to remove the padlock and restore water to the community.

LHR is now seeking a longer term solution to the problem.