Hundreds of people gathered outside the council chambers in Braamfontein on Saturday, 1 November. They called for an end to the constant water shortages.
The protest follows months of dry taps and intermittent supply. These issues have affected homes, hospitals, and businesses across the metro. Organisers have described the situation as a human rights emergency.
The protest was organised by a coalition of over a dozen groups. These include WaterCAN, the Joburg Water Forum, and the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation. They handed over a memorandum of demands to Executive Mayor Dada Morero.
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Demands for accountability and transparency
The coalition’s demands focus on governance and financial management. A key demand is to ring-fence funding for water infrastructure. This would ensure revenue from water sales is used only for Joburg Water projects.
Activists are also demanding a transparent investigation into R4 billion. This money was allegedly moved from Joburg Water’s budget and never returned.
Dr Ferrial Adam, Executive Director of WaterCAN, said the water crisis is due to governance failures. She pointed to crumbling infrastructure and poor leadership.
The groups also want greater civil society participation in the city’s turnaround strategy. They have called for reforms to the Johannesburg Water board. This includes skills assessments and term limits for board members.
Allegations of corruption also fuel residents’ anger. A R223-million water tanker contract is under scrutiny. It was awarded to two companies with no track record. The Department of Water and Sanitation has warned against outsourcing tanker services. They say it is expensive, unreliable, and prone to corruption. Despite this, the contract remains active. This deepens the public’s mistrust and frustration with the handling of the water crisis.
The protest organisers have vowed to continue their fight. They plan to keep pressure on the city to ensure their demands are met. This action signals a unified front from residents across Johannesburg.
Image: Johannesburg residents and society groups protesting ongoing water challenges in the metro in front of the Johannesburg Council Chambers on 1 November 2025. [Credit: Ntokozo Khumalo/EWN]
