A community meeting convened to tackle persistent water supply problems in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, ended abruptly on Monday evening after residents booed and refused to allow MMC for Utilities Frans Boshielo to address them, insisting instead on hearing directly from Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya, who was absent.
The gathering at the local hall drew large numbers of frustrated residents, who braved rainy conditions to attend. They have complained for over two decades about inconsistent access to clean, safe drinking water — a basic constitutional right they say remains unfulfilled.
Government interventions, including the provision of water tankers, have been criticised as unreliable. Residents reported that tankers sometimes fail to arrive, and when they do, the water is not always safe for human consumption or drinking. One resident coordinator who helps direct tankers to households echoed the ongoing difficulties in ensuring consistent supply.
When the meeting began around 5pm, MMC Frans Boshielo was called to the podium to open proceedings. However, the crowd immediately booed him off the stage, giving him no opportunity to speak. Attendees made it clear they had come specifically to receive a way forward from Mayor Nasiphi Moya.
Reports indicated that Mayor Moya had other prior engagements and was expected to arrive late, but she ultimately did not appear. Residents alleged that after she stopped the provision of water tankers from private and other external organisations, no adequate alternative plan was put in place. They claimed reliance on city-provided tankers has proven equally challenging due to inconsistency and quality concerns.
One resident explained the decision to halt the meeting: “The reason why for this meeting to stop, we need the authority of the city here to answer especially on the issue of water and high enough for our tankers. We were welcoming the leadership to come here to give us way forward.”
The community also referenced a pending case linked to a past cholera outbreak in the area that claimed family members’ lives, heightening the urgency of their demands for reliable clean water.
By the end of the evening, the hall stood largely empty, with rows of chairs abandoned and only a small police and security presence remaining to monitor the situation and prevent any escalation of tensions.
The collapse of the meeting underscores deepening frustration in the community as local government elections approach in the coming months. Residents continue to call for concrete, permanent fixes to the water crisis that has plagued the area for years.
