MyZA

News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff

You are here: Home / News / Why do Joburg’s taps keep running dry?

Why do Joburg’s taps keep running dry?

Poor management has caused frequent, prolonged water outages and left many families dependent on water tankers

Residents of Melville and surrounding suburbs, such as Westdene and Sophiatown, protested on Friday, 14 August, about ongoing water outages. Photo: Ihsaan Haffejee

Between June 2025 and June 2026, Johannesburg recorded an average of almost 140 water pipe leaks a day.
The City spent at least R650-million over five years on water tankers, which critics say is an unsustainable and expensive emergency substitute for functioning infrastructure.
Meanwhile, billions of rands have been swept from Johannesburg Water’s accounts, raising concerns that it lacks the financial autonomy to maintain infrastructure and pay contractors.

“I am sick and tired of lugging around water containers hoping to find a running tap. It is no way to live,” said Simon Banda from Melville, protesting on…

Read More: Why do Joburg’s taps keep running dry?.

The #EndChildMarriage movement seeks to raise awareness and combat child marriage in South Africa.

Category: Tag:

If you feel strongly about this article then feel free to send MyZA a ‘Letter to the Editor’ using the submission form below:

Letter to the Editor

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
If this is in response to an article please include that article title here or as the lead in for the first paragraph of your Letter below.

Separate tags with commas

Localise your letter by naming the city your words are about. Add relevant words describing your subject. Single comma separated words of no more than 5
Your Name(Required)
Your Name will be linked to the website below.
Your personal, business or social media web site
Choose NO to not set up a user account on MyZA. User Accounts will allow you to submit letters under your own Author Name

3 Latest Letters to the Editor:

  • Congratulations to the Lotto Winner

    Dear Editor Dear Editor, I was thrilled to hear about the R8.5 million Lotto win for the community of Gqeberha. Such life-changing news brings hope and excitement to everyone in the area. I congratulate the winner and wish them all the best with their prize. May this bring positive change to their life and the…

  • Opinion on Lotto Winner News

    Dear Editor Congratulations to the lucky winner! This is truly wonderful news for the community. Regards Marina Adams In Response to/From: Congratulations to the Lucky Winner

  • Regarding Lotto Winner Story

    Dear Editor Congratulations to the winner, this is wonderful news for the community. Wishing them the best for the future. Regards Willem Pieterse In Response to/From: Re: R8.5 Million Lotto Winner Claims Prize in Gqeberha

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Slap chips – French fries [slup-chips] An Afrikaans word meaning limp and describing soft, fat French fries. These are usually mixed with tomato sauce and vinegar.