South Africa’s Water Woes Deepen Amid Protests and Debt Battles

Johannesburg / Mahikeng – Water shortages and supply cuts remain one of South Africa’s most pressing service delivery challenges, sparking fresh protests in communities already struggling with years of unreliable access.

This past week, residents of Mmabatho, outside Mahikeng, and Westbury in Johannesburg took to the streets, blocking roads with rocks and burning tyres to demand consistent water supply. Community members expressed frustration over being left without running water for up to five consecutive days, often with no alternative provision.

At the same time, water utility Rand Water announced a 20% cut in bulk potable water supply to the financially distressed Merafong Local Municipality, which owes the utility over R1 billion. The decision follows collapsed negotiations and repeated failures by the municipality to honor repayment agreements.

Government Acknowledges Widespread Failures

Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo, admitted the crisis is a severe inconvenience for citizens and damaging to the economy. He stressed that while South Africa has sufficient bulk water, many municipalities have failed to invest in infrastructure, leading to unreliable distribution, aging reservoirs, frequent pipe bursts, and pump station breakdowns.

“Local government is the closest to the people, but it is plagued by serious challenges,” Mahlobo said. He highlighted that cities like Johannesburg require over R3 billion annually for water infrastructure, but have historically invested less than a third of that, causing severe backlogs.

Mahlobo also called for stronger accountability, insisting that municipalities must honor their agreements with water boards. “The user-pay principle is sacrosanct. Municipalities that fail to pay weaken the system and negatively affect citizens,” he said.

Rand Water’s Struggle with Debt-Laden Municipalities

Rand Water spokesperson Makenosi Maroo noted that the Merafong cut is part of a broader financial crisis affecting utilities, as many municipalities across the country owe billions in unpaid bills. These debts strain water boards’ ability to operate and maintain infrastructure.

While stressing that restrictions do not mean a complete cut-off, Mahlobo warned that without strict measures, the debt will spiral further out of control. Government is considering solutions such as ring-fenced municipal water entities, public-private partnerships, and even withholding equitable share allocations from municipalities that repeatedly default.

Communities Bear the Brunt

For ordinary South Africans, however, the debates over debt and governance bring little comfort. In Westbury and Mahikeng, residents say years of inconsistent supply have left them disillusioned with both municipalities and national government. Many argue that water – a constitutional right – has become a luxury in their daily lives.

As Mahlobo admitted: “Water is a matter of life and death. When it’s not available, it creates difficulties for citizens and the economy alike.”