Africa-Press – South-Africa. Joburg’s worsening water crisis will see activists, residents and civil society organisations stage a water protest on 1 November outside the city council chambers.
Organised by the Joburg Water Forum and backed by organisations ranging from the Abahlali Base Zola, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Climate Justice Coalition, Defend our Democracy,
JhbCAN, WaterCAN, Joburg Crisis Alliance and various residents’ organisations, the protest will focus on how the water crisis has become a human rights emergency.
WaterCAN executive director Dr Ferrial Adam: “This crisis is threatening lives, livelihoods, and dignity. Hospitals, schools, and homes across the city are going dry. Water is not a privilege; it is a constitutional right.”
Adam said Johannesburg as South Africa’s economic and financial hub, is standing at a critical crossroads. “As the most populous city in the country, its deteriorating water infrastructure and management have brought it under scrutiny. Years of neglect, mismanagement, and corruption have plunged the city into a water crisis that threatens its residents’ quality of life, economic stability, and future. As water activists, we cannot remain silent.”
The protest will back a demand to the City of Johannesburg for urgent, accountable, and transparent action to end the water crisis.
“We have heard promises and announcements – including the reported R800 million injection into the Commando System – yet little has changed,” said Adam.
Demands to the city include:
· – Ringfencing the water and sanitation budget so that all money meant for water systems be protected and used only for maintenance, upgrades, and repairs.
· – Giving Joburg Water its full allocated annual budget – no cuts, no delays – to fund essential operations, contracts, and maintenance.
· – An immediate return of the R4 billion taken from Joburg Water’s account.
· – Fast-tracking the work on the six reservoirs (HH2, Modder Hill, Meadowlands, Aeroton, Dunkeld, Crown Gardens) that were supposed to have started in July 2025. Starting the initial work on five more reservoirs (Yeoville, Jabulani, Power Park, Lenasia, Alexander Park) that were supposed to begin in October 2025, and publishing timelines and progress reports for public accountability.
· – An improved response time from 48 hours to 24 hours as committed to in the JW Turn Around Strategy.
· – The establishment of a Water Oversight Structure that includes civil society, community organisations, and business representatives to ensure full transparency and public accountability.
The peaceful protest will take place on 1 November at the JohannesburgCity Council Building, Civic Boulevard, Braamfontein.
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