Lesufi calls urgent meeting with Joburg Water over ongoing crisis

Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, says the provincial government will convene an urgent meeting with Joburg Water to address the ongoing water crisis affecting parts of the province.

Lesufi has acknowledged that the situation remains a major headache for the government, adding that urgent interventions are being considered to stabilise supply across affected communities.

This comes as the situation in Coronationville and Westbury remains tense, with residents taking to the streets to protest over prolonged water outages. Many claim they have been without water for months, with little to no response from authorities.

Earlier today, police fired rubber bullets to disperse demonstrators who blocked the roads with burning tyres and rocks. Several people, including a 15-year-old, were wounded during the protest,  while shops in the area were also looted. Police confirmed one arrest and say a case of public violence is being investigated.

Community members say their pleas have fallen on deaf ears, leaving them frustrated and desperate as basic services continue to collapse.

“This has been happening for the past seven years. Which normal person wakes up in the morning and decides to do this? This is caused by frustration of not having running water, when you wake up in the morning to brush your teeth, wash your face or even take a shower to go to work,” the resident bemoaned.

Another resident said the ongoing water crisis has begun to affect schooling in the area, with children struggling to attend classes under current conditions.

In a heartbreaking moment, an elderly man broke down in tears, saying the situation has taken a serious toll on his family.

He told reporters he has a sick wife at home and can’t even take care of her properly due to the lack of running water.

Westbury ward councillor, Melissa Davis, says it is disheartening that government continues to ignore the community’s cries.

Davis says residents are tired of government’s empty promises with no lasting solutions.

 

Meanwhile, business owners in the area say the shortages are crippling their operations, with many struggling to stay afloat.

 

A similar scene unfolded in Tsakane, Ekurhuleni, where residents took to the streets protesting over water issues affecting their community.

Residents in Tsakane say they want Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, to come and address their concerns directly.

They expressed frustration with Joburg Water, accusing the utility of disregarding their pleas for assistance.

The ongoing water crisis in Gauteng has been driven by ageing infrastructure, frequent pipe bursts, and inadequate maintenance, leaving many areas without reliable access to clean water for weeks or even months at a time.

🚨 DO NOT SHOOT
Joburg is thirsty.

Communities in Coronationville, Westbury, West Dean, Martindale, Sophiatown, Ivory Park & Ebony Park are in the streets for water.
But instead of finding solutions @CityofJoburgZA shoots. @JHBWater #Randwater #waterjustice #watersecurity pic.twitter.com/nS8LfjJMG7

— WaterCAN (@WaterCANsa) September 10, 2025

Well done to the Coronationville residents 🙌🏻 Keep it up. Legitimate protest without destroying. https://t.co/Ogu88SRA1q

— Twinkler (@Twinkler1508) September 10, 2025

It’s not just Coronationville without water. 2nd day without water in all of Ridgeway and Crown Gardens and Winchester and Suideroord and and and……..Time for water tankers.

— Caveman (@Prince50941542) September 10, 2025

The people in Coronationville, Johannesburg, are protesting today and say that they haven’t had running water in a month.

They blocked roads and the police shot them with rubber bullets and released teargas.

Last week it was Bedfordview. This water crisis is alarming.

— Christopher. (@Chris_JNdonga) September 10, 2025