Ongoing Water Outages in Johannesburg Provoke Public Outrage and Protests Across Multiple Regions
Johannesburg is facing a mounting water crisis that has left many residents without access to water for days, sparking city-wide protests and growing frustration. Communities across the city, including Melville, Emmarentia, Greenside, and parts of the CBD, are rallying for answers and immediate action as water shortages persist.
City-Wide Water Outages Spark Public Protests
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has organized a major protest under the banner #NoDryTapsJoburg, scheduled for Wednesday morning at the Johannesburg Council Chambers. The protest seeks the removal of the Johannesburg Water Board, alleging it is politically compromised and lacks the technical expertise required to resolve the ongoing crisis.
The DA plans to hand over a memorandum demanding:
- A thorough review of board members’ credentials and political affiliations.
- The dissolution of the current board pending this review.
- An independent third-party audit for new appointments.
Additionally, another protest is planned for Thursday in Hursthill, with affected residents calling for transparency and immediate solutions.
Gauteng Water Issues Intensify
The water crisis stems from a series of challenges, including high consumption, ongoing maintenance issues, and inadequate communication. Areas such as Northcliff, Melville, Auckland Park, and parts of Midrand have faced disruptions lasting over a week.
Johannesburg Water, along with bulk water supplier Rand Water, has attempted to address the shortages by pumping an additional 100 million liters of water to the affected Commando System. However, high demand and leaks within the infrastructure continue to hinder recovery efforts.
Civil Society Calls for Action
Civil organizations such as WaterCAN are also stepping in, with a meeting scheduled at Killarney Mall on Saturday to discuss solutions. Executive Manager Ferrial Adam criticized the City for its lack of urgency and poor communication, saying:
“People are angry… Where are the water tankers?”
Adam emphasized that simply showing reservoir levels does not address the underlying issues or provide meaningful updates to residents.
City’s Response and Way Forward
City spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane acknowledged the protests but argued that the DA is politicizing the crisis. According to Johannesburg Water spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala, updates are being provided twice daily to councillors and residents.
To mitigate the crisis, Johannesburg Water is collaborating with Rand Water to stabilize the Commando System and address high-demand areas. However, the persistent shortages in regions such as Bryanston, Houghton Estate, and Parktown North highlight the scale of the problem.
Johannesburg Residents Demand Accountability
Residents have grown increasingly impatient, as delays in communication and limited water supply exacerbate the situation. Protests are expected to escalate in the coming days as citizens demand immediate action from the City and Johannesburg Water.
As frustration mounts, it is clear that resolving the water crisis will require a combination of technical expertise, improved infrastructure, and transparent communication to restore public trust and ensure reliable water access for all.
Also read: City Power Extends Grace Period for Prepaid Customer Penalty Fees Until 30 November
