Patriotic Alliance Withdraws from Coalitions and GNU Amid Johannesburg Water Crisis

Patriotic Alliance Takes Political Stand Amid Escalating Johannesburg Water Shortages

JOHANNESBURG - In a bold political move, the Patriotic Alliance (PA) has officially announced its withdrawal from all municipal coalitions and initiated the process to exit the Government of National Unity (GNU). Party leader Gayton McKenzie cited growing dissatisfaction with coalition governance and local service delivery failures as the driving forces behind this decision.

“Immediately after leaving the coalitions, we are starting the process to withdraw from the GNU,” McKenzie stated. “Being part of the GNU comes with signed agreements and formal procedures, which we are now following.”

READ: Johannesburg's Water Demand Pushes Entire Gauteng System to Its Limit

Escalating Water Crisis Spurs Political Action

The PA’s announcement comes amid worsening water shortages in Johannesburg suburbs including Coronationville, Westbury, Newclare, and Claremont. Residents have endured years of intermittent water supply, with recent shortages triggering protests, road blockades, and clashes with police, resulting in several injuries.

Community activist Evangelist Chester, speaking at a meeting with Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero on 11 September, criticized city officials for delayed action:

“You could have been proactive … now that there’s a crisis, people have been shot, people have been injured.”

Schools in affected areas have had to close early due to insufficient water, while residents queue for water at local mosques and boreholes, highlighting the severity of the ongoing crisis.

Johannesburg Water System Under Severe Strain

City officials, including Mayor Morero, MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services Jack Sekwaila, and Johannesburg Water Managing Director Ntshavheni Mukwevho, confirmed that the water supply system is under immense pressure. While R800 million has been allocated for reservoir refurbishments at Hursthill, Brixton, and Crosby, full restoration in some neighborhoods is not expected until October 2026.

Temporary relief measures, such as 15 water tankers and additional boreholes at schools and informal settlements, have been deployed to mitigate the crisis.

Patriotic Alliance Prioritizes Accountability Over Power

McKenzie emphasized that the PA’s decision is driven by community accountability, not political gain:

“We are not pursuing positions of power but seeking respect and accountability for communities long neglected by municipal authorities. We are going back to the ground to see what the future holds.”

READ: Westbury Water Crisis: Residents Protest as Police Respond

Political Implications

The PA’s exit from coalitions and the GNU marks a significant political shift in Johannesburg, reflecting growing frustration among both local political actors and citizens. As the city continues to grapple with service delivery failures, particularly in water provision, political parties are being forced to re-evaluate their strategies to address the urgent needs of residents.