Residents of Bedfordview in Ekurhuleni have taken to the streets in protest after enduring nine consecutive days without water.
Bedfordview residents take frustrations with nine-day water outages to the streets
The outage, which has been linked to Rand Water supply issues, has left homes, businesses, schools, and elderly residents struggling to cope.
A group of demonstrators gathered on Saturday, voicing their frustrations over what they say is a lack of communication and accountability from the bulk water supplier, Rand Water.
The City of Ekurhuleni has stated that the water crisis stems from supply issues following repairs to a leak at the city’s Signal Hill reservoir. However, local officials have pointed fingers at Rand Water for failing to update affected residents.
Ekurhuleni MMC for Water and Sanitation, Thembi Msane, echoed the residents’ concerns, stating that the lack of communication from Rand Water has left people unable to plan for the prolonged outage.
“We understand that issues arise with water infrastructure, but what is unacceptable is the failure to inform residents and businesses about what is happening and when to expect a resolution,” she said.
One resident who joined the protest shared their frustration:
“It’s not about politics. This is about water, which is a human right. We don’t want to ask for water; we must just get the water. And if we don’t, we at least need proper communication. Businesses, guesthouses, schools, and old-age homes rely on water daily. To not have it for nine days is not just a problem—it’s a crisis.”
Joburg water outages reported so far
Johannesburg Water has been issuing updates throughout the day on affected areas and repair efforts. According to the latest notices:
- Vorna Valley, Midrand: A major burst pipe on Harry Galaun Drive and Le Roux was repaired on the evening of Friday, 14 March. However, the pipe burst again the following morning, leaving residents without water. Technicians have isolated the problem, but no estimated time for completion has been provided. Roaming water tankers have been deployed to key locations.
- Overall Johannesburg Water System: The city’s water levels remain under pressure, with reservoirs in various districts reported to be stable, fair, or critically low.
- Water Supply Reduction Measures: Johannesburg Water continues to enforce Level 1 water restrictions, which have been in place since November 2024. The city is actively monitoring the situation and has implemented a supply reduction schedule to support system recovery.
While efforts to resolve the crisis continue, Bedfordview residents say they will not back down until proper accountability is provided.
