Systemic Lack of Control Over Critical Water Infrastructure

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) finds footage showing an Ekurhuleni Metro water tanker extracting water directly from a fire hydrant in Field Road, Witfield (Boksburg) – without any control, oversight of measurement – very concerning.

Although fire hydrants may be used as filling points, the prescribed protocols must be strictly adhered to – such as using only authorised points where extraction is measured and recorded.

Fire hydrants are critical emergency infrastructure primarily intended for fire-fighting, and uncontrolled misuse puts additional pressure on water resources, thus jeopardising community safety.

This incident highlights the Metro’s inability to manage its own resources.

During a joint committee meeting in December 2025, it was confirmed that Ekurhuleni is currently losing 30,29% of its water – the same figure is also reflected in the latest Integrated Development Plan (IDP).

Because water consumption regularly exceeds the Metro’s licensed limits, Rand Water has imposed restrictions.

The Freedom Front Plus is concerned about the systemic lack of control over critical water infrastructure and the accompanying poor monitoring, which is exacerbated by officials’ failure to comply with the rules.

This situation points to deep-rooted operational capacity shortages and a complete lack of accountability for the massive water losses that are currently crippling the Metro.

The crisis is further heightened by the Department of Water and Sanitation’s ongoing failure to meet its own target of resolving 85% of complaints within 48 hours.

Without urgent intervention to address the official laxity and administrative shortcomings, the Metro’s water security and service delivery to residents will continue to deteriorate.

Seeing as residents are subjected to water restrictions and higher tariffs, the unmetered extraction of water is unacceptable.

The Freedom Front Plus reported the incident and requested the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Utility Services, Jean Sthato, to:

• Urgently investigate the incident and confirm whether the action was authorised.
• Publicly disseminate the protocols for the use of fire hydrants and tankers.
• Provide clarity on how water extraction at fire hydrants is monitored.
• Take disciplinary steps if violations occurred.

Residents should not have to pay the price for poor governance.

Freedom Front Plus Transport Policy: The FF Plus advocates for improved public transport systems.

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