Johannesburg residents threaten more protests over mayor’s inadequate water relief
Johannesburg West residents vowed a repeat of last week’s water protests, after queuing for hours for water while the mayor’s relief promise falters.
Joburg Mayor Dada Morero visited Westbury and Coronationville on Thursday after protests erupted over persistent water shortages. Roads had been barricaded with burning tyres, and residents clashed with police, who allegedly fired rubber bullets at crowds, including children and the elderly. Morero promised the community that R800 million had been set aside to tackle infrastructure challenges driving the unrest and assured them that 15 water tankers would be dispatched immediately to provide temporary relief while longer-term solutions were pursued.
But when the Saturday Star visited on Friday, long queues of residents still waited with buckets and containers. In Newclare, a lone tanker stationed since morning drew snaking queues resembling an election day.
Despite promises of 15 water tankers, Johannesburg West residents are still waiting hours for water amid ongoing shortages.
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
Many had been at the collection points since 8am, only to leave empty-handed.
Many households have endured weeks of dry taps with little communication from the city. While some buy water, unemployed families say they cannot afford it.
Community leader Raider Makhobosi, who attended the Mayor's meeting on Thursday, said the situation had become unbearable.
“People have been waiting the whole day. Only a few areas received water earlier this morning. As a leader, I stand in line with the residents because we’ve been without water for weeks. Life is impossible without water, children need to go to school, and families need to cook and wash. Mayor Morero promised 15 tankers, but only some neighbourhoods saw them.”
The water crisis worsens, with vulnerable communities struggling to access clean water and basic services.
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
For residents like Nthabiseng Simelane, who cares for a young child, the crisis has disrupted daily life.
“I’ve been here since 8am waiting for a truck. The queue was so long, and some people gave up and left. They keep telling us the truck is coming, but it never arrives. Our children can’t go to school in dirty clothes, and sometimes the taps only run at night and we are not able to store enough water. Where are the 15 trucks they promised? It’s disappointing because we voted for these people. Things are not easy especially because most of the people do not work and can not afford to buy water.”
Mayor Morero’s relief efforts fall short as long queues form and many go home empty-handed.
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
The shortages have had serious consequences for vulnerable groups. A group of elderly women also revealed that they were unable to take their medication on time because they could not cook or access clean water.
Others expressed anger at what they see as neglect.
“We are going back to the streets,” said one resident, speaking anonymously. “They don’t understand how hard it is to live without water. We are carrying buckets like we’re in rural areas. We thought life in Gauteng would be better, but there is no change. How do we survive like this?”
Young men in the area added that Newclare near Westbury feels sidelined compared to other neighbourhoods, which they believe are given priority during water distribution.
As frustration deepens, residents say they are losing hope in the promises made by local government and warn that without urgent action, tensions may spill over once again into the streets.
Johannesburg’s water infrastructure problems leave families without water, forcing many to rely on scarce and unreliable tankers.
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
Morero had revealed that the city's water utility has a problem pumping water. Hence, water levels in the supply system are very low, and until that is solved, there is nothing much that can be done.
Johannesburg Water's Managing Director Ntshavheni Mukwevho had also spoken on measures being implemented to address the ongoing water challenges in the Commando System.
Cape Forum expresses its support for the community that is rebelling against the Johannesburg Metro.
“The non-provision of water rights is a serious violation of a basic human right of the community,” says Heindrich Wyngaard, Chairperson of Cape Forum. “We find it completely unacceptable that the elderly, the sick and children all have to suffer because of a clear inability of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality to provide this service.”
“It appears that the council are more concerned about who is in charge than they are about service delivery,” says Wyngaard.
The Saturday Star sent questions to the City of Johannesburg, but no response was received at the time of publishing.
anita.nkonki@inl.co.za
Saturday Star