Joburg Mayor Dada Morero promises turnaround strategy amidst water crisis

City of Joburg Mayor Dada Morero has revealed that Joburg Water has disconnected three of the nine informal settlements reported to be connected illegally to the city's water system.

On Monday, Morero briefed the media on the city's turnaround strategy to revitalise its ability to provide better services to residents of Johannesburg.

This has protests have sprung up in communities frustrated at the sporadic supply of water.

Morero said that the new strategy seeks to strengthen governance, stabilise water supply, and restore confidence in the city's ability to deliver reliable water services.

Over and above this, the mayor confirmed that the water utility has taken back its revenue and billing functions, which until recently were handled by the city.

"One of the most significant developments is the ringfencing of Johannesburg Water as a trading entity. This reform, supported by the Presidency and National Treasury, ensures greater accountability and efficiency in how we manage our water resources and finances."

To resolve some of the water challenges in areas such as Coronationville, Westbury, and other parts of the city, Morero said the city has partnered with the private sector and other organisations to construct boreholes.

"Enforcement is also underway. We have disconnected illegal connections in three informal settlements, and further actions are planned in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies. On the infrastructure front, we are prioritising the rehabilitation of critical reservoirs and wastewater treatment plants," he stated.

The mayor's address comes just days after the water utility revealed that it will be embarking on a big disconnection drive targeting chronic non-paying, high-consumption customers with long-standing, unpaid, and undisputed municipal debt.  

Morero said, despite recent challenges to the provision of water to communities such as Westbury and in the midst of high – and rising–water demand, illegal connections, nonpayment for water, servitude encroachments, and aging infrastructure,  progress is being made to restore confidence in the city's abilities.

The entity's Financial Chief,  Cyrus Tavaria, tabled the utility's short and long-term plan, which he said is centred on key priorities aimed at making Joburg Water financially stable.

"Over the next financial year, we will focus on rolling out phase 2 of the reservoir rehabilitation programme, covering Yoeville, Alexander Park, Ennerdale, and other affected areas. This includes partnering with the private sector and other stakeholders. There is also an 85-kilometre water pipe replacement planned for the 2025/26 financial year," he said.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za