The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng are taking a bold stance against the ongoing water crisis, organising a march to Johannesburg Water today to demand immediate action in addressing the persistent water shortages that are affecting residents.
The party is calling for an end to water shedding in Gauteng and for a sustainable, reliable water supply for all residents.
In a statement, the EFF warned that the water crisis in Johannesburg has reached a critical stage, and without swift intervention, it could lead to a humanitarian disaster.
They attributed the crisis to a combination of systemic failures, including decades of neglect of the city’s infrastructure, corruption, mismanagement at Johannesburg Water, electricity cuts, tampering with water systems, a growing population, and to some extent, drought.
The EFF pointed out that the crisis first emerged in 2022 when reservoir levels in the western areas of Johannesburg dropped to alarmingly low levels, yet the municipality failed to act.
By 2023, the situation worsened, with water outages affecting the northern and western regions, leaving some communities without water for up to a month.
While acknowledging the impact of Stage 6 loadshedding in exacerbating the crisis, the EFF stressed that the underlying issue lies in the city’s aging infrastructure, with 48% of water being lost through leaks and illegal connections.
They also criticised the City for its growing maintenance backlog, worsened by mismanagement and the prioritisation of political connections over expertise.
The party also revealed that Johannesburg is facing a staggering R27 billion in infrastructure maintenance and expansion backlogs. Of the city’s 128 reservoirs, 45 require urgent repairs, with 21 in critical condition.
Despite this, less than a third of the necessary funding is being allocated for these upgrades. The EFF warned that if this trend continues, Johannesburg Water could face Day Zero sooner than anticipated.
The party vowed to lead the fight for justice as water-dependent industries and daily life continue to be disrupted.
Manufacturing, hospitality, commerce, public health, justice, and academic institutions are all suffering as taps run dry at least three days a week.
The EFF stressed that without water, businesses shut down, court cases are postponed, classes are cancelled, and critical medical procedures, such as surgeries and childbirths, are delayed.
In light of these widespread disruptions, the EFF has committed to standing at the forefront of these issues throughout the year.
During today’s march, the EFF will present a series of demands to Johannesburg Water, including:
- A R3 billion investment to fund the repair of reservoirs, pipelines, and leaks.
- Measures to eliminate water loss, with the introduction of advanced leak detection and stricter enforcement.
- Ensuring an uninterrupted water supply by exempting water infrastructure from load-shedding and investing in backup power systems.
- Action against corruption and mismanagement within Johannesburg Water.
- A forensic investigation into suspicious water tanker tenders that benefit politically connected syndicates.
- Increased accountability, including a crackdown on tender mafias and conducting a skills audit in the Department of Water.
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