The Department of Water and Sanitation has strongly condemned the destruction of water infrastructure in the Pretoria CBD.

The infrastructure was destroyed during the strike by the disgruntled municipal workers in the employ of the City of Tshwane.

“The Department of Water and Sanitation is disturbed by these criminal activities which have resulted in water wastage in the streets of the city due to the destruction of water pipes,” the department said in a statement.

The protest, which started on Tuesday, was spearheaded by workers affiliated to the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU).

They have taken issue with Tshwane administrators who were embroiled in a stalemate with their union leaders over the “benchmarking payments”.

Potable water necessary for the sustenance of the citizens and the economy of the country was gushing through some streets of the CBD, going to waste.

“It is a notable fact that there are challenges of water supply in some parts of Pretoria.

“Therefore, destruction of the water infrastructure will exacerbate the water shortage challenges which the department is working hard to address,” the department further said.

The Department of Water and Sanitation is therefore appealing to the protesting workers to refrain from damaging the water infrastructure as it is detrimental to water supply in the already affected areas of Pretoria.

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