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Burst water pipe 'causes havoc'

RESIDENTS of the Sweet Home informal settlement in Philippi, Cape Town, claim that they are living in fear of losing their lives after a water pipe burst in C section streets two weeks ago

The residents complained that the water pools have made it difficult for them to move around the streets.

They lashed out at the City of Cape Town, accusing it of negligence.

"The water has been here for more than two weeks. We reported this to our community leader and he referred the matter to the council, but nothing has happened," resident Sanelisiwe Nkosi said.

Another resident Luzuko Masiza said: "The city council must make a plan about this burst water pipe."

He threatened to make the city ungovernable if nothing has happened.

"If they don't make a plan to fix the water pipe by next week we will protest."

But a passer-by chose to look on the bright side of the situation.

"We are fortunate that it's just water and does not stink. It would be a problem if it were a sewage drain," he said.

Community leader Forest Ndathane echoed Nkosi's sentiments, saying he had reported the incident to city officials a while ago.

"The water is now moving into the houses when it rains. The city officials know about the problem. They came here and promised to fix the water pipe but they never returned," Ndathane said.

City communications officer Farouk Robertson said he had no knowledge of the problem but promised to urgently attend to it.

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