An 84-year-old ouma from Kraaifontein has been without water in her home for more than a week, all because City of Cape Town workers forgot to open up her stopcock after fixing a leak.
Francis Rudolph says she made numerous complaints to her local municipality office, but it was only after the Daily Voice sent a query that the problem was discovered and fixed Wednesday.
The ouma says she had asked the City to restore her water which was switched off following a leak outside her property.
“That day we only got 20 litres of water and since then I’ve had to get my neighbours to give me water to wash and flush the loo,” ouma Francis says.
“The guys who worked on the leak were still here last Thursday and the water was running fine. After they left the water was just gone.
OVERSIGHT: Francis Rudolph, 84, at water meter
“We did not want to scratch anywhere and have been calling non-stop for assistance.
“I had no clean stuff in the house and was scared of getting some infection I would maybe not recover from.
“It is unacceptable and I feel like I am basically homeless.”
The upset ouma says after being ignored by the City she called the Daily Voice for help.
The City’s spokesperson, Luthando Tyhalibongo, says workers were immediately dispatched and discovered that the stopcock on the property was never reopened after the leak was fixed.
“Upon investigation, the City’s Meter Management Department discovered that the stopcock on the meter was closed.
“Officials who responded to the complaint opened the stopcock to restore supply to the property.”