The burst water supply pipe which cost two deaths in Phomolong informal settlement in Mamelodi has been restored, the City of Tshwane said on Wednesday. Water supply to the local community burst affected Mamelodi on Monday.

Spokeswoman Nomasonto Ndlovu confirmed that the water supply was being restored in Mamelodi and surrounding areas.

It was expected that the reservoir could be filled by Wednesday night she added. Although the infrastructure had been fixed, Mamelodi residents were fully informed that the water supply had not been restored to most parts of the sprawling area. The suppliers in the some parts of Mamelodi were delayed because the pipes had to be filled up and the water tanks where supplied immediately to supply the residents with water.

Tshwane emergency services said two children a four-year-old and a four- month- old died on Monday when the pipe burst; it is suspected that they drowned. The Tshwane metro announced it would help families with burial arrangement and counseling.

The city said initial indications were that accelerated corrosion of the pipe, due to its proximity to a railway line, could have led to the burst.

She explained, the city continued with the relocation of the affected families by anticipating moving about 50 of them to permanent stands on municipal-owned land by Wednesday.

“At least 561 of the 703 households have already been pre approved on the beneficiary list and will within the next day also be relocated to the permanent stands,” she maintains.