WaterCAN is deeply concerned about yet another disruption of water supply to informal settlements in Johannesburg following the withdrawal of services by a contractor due to alleged nonpayment. This is not an isolated incident. For several months Johannesburg Water has struggled to pay contractors consistently, resulting in delays to infrastructure work and interruptions to essential water delivery.
WaterCAN previously stated that Johannesburg Water’s debt to suppliers and service providers exceeds R1 billion, a portion of which is owed to more than 200 contractors who provide critical maintenance and water related services across the city.
According to WaterCAN’s Executive Director Ferrial Adam, this creates grounds for a humanitarian crisis whereby thousands are left without access to water for days, sometimes weeks on end.
“What began as a debt of R666 million owed to 203 contractors in September escalated to R1 billion by the end of October and as at the end of November it is R690 million. The result has been contractors downing tools, project extensions, and unscheduled and extended water cuts throughout the city,” said Adam.
Adam said communities who already live with uncertainty and daily struggle are the first to feel the impact.
“No water in informal settlements is not an inconvenience; it is a crisis. It strips families of dignity and forces them to pay for what government should provide. This failure is a direct breach of human rights,” said Adam.
This most recent round of cuts was circulated via a notice to councillors this week by Johannesburg Water. In the message it stated that “the provision of water supply services to the [affected] informal settlements has been disrupted” and that “the appointed service provider has suspended services”.
The water authority said it is “engaging with the relevant departments to address this matter urgently, with the aim of restoring services as soon as possible”.
Adam, says the impact of this system is now visible in the lived reality of residents.
“The result is the same every time: no payments, suspended works, and a worsening crisis for residents already facing chronic water cuts,” said Adam.
WaterCAN calls on Johannesburg Water and the City of Johannesburg to provide the public with clear timelines for restoring supply, reasons for recurring payment failures, and a concrete plan to prevent ongoing service breakdowns.
The City must also provide:
- Full transparency on all financial movements from the Joburg Water account;
- An independent investigation into the financial management of City entities;
- Immediate ring-fencing of funds for essential water infrastructure and operations.
WaterCAN will continue to monitor the situation and support communities who are affected. “ We urge both officials and political leadership to put residents first and address the root causes behind these repeated failures,” said Adam.
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