Johannesburg’s Water Crisis: A Snapshot of South Africa’s Broader Struggles

For months, residents across Johannesburg have faced the frustration of turning on their taps only to find them dry. This crisis, however, is not isolated to the city. According to Dr. Ferrial Adam, executive manager of WaterCAN, a community action network under the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa), Johannesburg’s water woes reflect a nationwide issue. “Many of us in Johannesburg think this is an isolated problem, but towns, villages, and cities across the country have been grappling with water shortages for years,” she said.

In response to these challenges, the Johannesburg City Council has approved a comprehensive turnaround strategy for Johannesburg Water, aligning with the National Treasury’s Trading Services Reforms. The strategy aims to address critical infrastructure and management issues through measures such as ring-fencing revenue, improving financial accountability, and increasing capital investment.

Ring-Fencing Revenue and Financial Accountability
A key component of the strategy is ring-fencing revenue, ensuring that funds generated from water and sanitation services are reinvested into infrastructure rather than being absorbed into the City’s general budget. Ntshavheni Mukwevho, managing director of Joburg Water, explained that this approach will allow the entity to attract loans and expand investments. “The National Treasury has directed that water businesses in metros must reinvest their resources into water infrastructure,” he said.

Joburg Water also plans to take full control of revenue billing and customer relationship management by the end of the 2024/25 financial year. The entity aims to increase cash collection rates from 80% in 2023/24 to 95% by 2028/29. Additionally, Mukwevho highlighted the need to boost capital expenditure from R1 billion to R3 billion by 2025/26 to upgrade aging infrastructure.

Funding Challenges and Political Roadblocks
Despite the ambitious plan, funding remains a significant hurdle. Julia Fish, regional manager of Joburg Community Action Network (JoburgCAN), praised the strategy but noted that it lacks financial backing. “The plan is impressive, but without funding, it’s just words on paper,” she said.

In December 2024, WaterCAN launched a petition signed by nearly 4,000 residents and civil society organizations, urging the City to increase Joburg Water’s capital budget from R1.2 billion to R3 billion. While the City tabled an adjustment budget in February 2025, proposing a slight increase in infrastructure spending, political infighting caused the council meeting to collapse, leaving the budget unapproved.

The proposed adjustment budget included a R70 million increase for Joburg Water, bringing its capital budget to R1.29 billion. However, Fish criticized the allocation, noting that funds were being diverted from critical projects like wastewater treatment plants to other initiatives. “They’re not addressing long-term needs; they’re just patching up the system,” she said.

Broader Issues: Misplaced Priorities and Financial Mismanagement
Fish also pointed to broader issues within the City’s financial management, including excessive spending on non-essential projects and perks. “There is money, but it’s going to the wrong places,” she said, citing the R500 million budget for the Speaker’s office as an example. She emphasized that the City should prioritize essential services like water, electricity, and roads over projects like stadiums.

WaterCAN and JoburgCAN have raised concerns about the diversion of funds from critical sanitation projects, such as the Bushkoppies and Goudkoppies wastewater treatment works. In July 2023, WaterCAN even laid criminal charges against the City due to severe pollution from these facilities.

A Call for Action
Johannesburg’s water crisis is a microcosm of South Africa’s broader infrastructure challenges. While Joburg Water’s turnaround strategy offers a roadmap for improvement, its success hinges on the City’s commitment to funding and implementation. As Fish noted, “R3 billion is the bare minimum needed to keep the system operational, and we’re already playing catch-up after years of underfunding.”

The question remains: Will the City of Johannesburg prioritize its residents’ most basic needs, or will political infighting and misplaced priorities continue to undermine progress?

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Sourced:The Daily Maverick