Coronationville, west of Johannesburg, was hit by violent clashes on Wednesday as Coronationville protests over the lack of water turned into a standoff between residents and police. Officers fired rubber bullets and tear gas at demonstrators who had taken to the streets, demanding urgent action from the city after four weeks without running water.
According to Johannesburg Water, the city has introduced a system known as “throttling.”
This means that water flow is reduced or cut off for hours at a time to protect storage reservoirs and control demand. The utility said the approach was needed because water consumption had risen sharply, threatening supply to parts of Johannesburg.
Why Coronationville residents are angry
Residents say they have not had a reliable water supply for years, and that in the past month taps have been completely dry.
Water trucks sent by the city deliver supplies, but locals complain the water is undrinkable.
Last week, resident Natalie Elias told reporters:
“Slovo Park, an informal settlement with 90% foreigners, has consistent running water. Us, as residents of the same ward, don’t have water. So we have to resort to stuff like this, just to get attention, just to get a drop of water.”
For many in Coronationville, the crisis feels unfair. They claim nearby areas continue to receive water while their households are left without, despite paying for municipal services.
How Johannesburg Water is managing supply
Johannesburg Water confirmed that on Sunday night it began reducing water pressure, a process called throttling, across several reservoirs and pumping stations in the city.
Originally planned for one night, the measure was extended through Tuesday and will now be applied daily.
The utility explained that throttling is meant to stabilise water levels in reservoirs so that supply can last longer.
Areas affected include:
- Orange Farm;
- Lawley;
- Lenasia;
- Robertville;
- Brixton;
- Hursthill;
- Berea;
- Yeoville;
- Linden;
- Honeydew;
- Cosmo City; and
- parts of Roodepoort.
Johannesburg Water said reservoirs and towers will be subjected to throttling for about 14 hours a day. It warned that while taps may briefly run after closure, full restoration of supply could take up to three hours.
The bigger water crisis
The clashes in Coronationville spotlight deeper problems in Johannesburg’s water system. The Commando System, which supplies the area, has long struggled with shortages. Johannesburg Water Managing Director Ntshavheni Mukwevho said nearly half of the city’s water is lost before it even reaches households.
He explained that 34% of the losses come from leaking pipes, while another 11% is due to illegal connections and water that the city provides free of charge. These losses cost Johannesburg Water R3 billion every year.
Despite police action, residents have vowed to continue their demonstrations until their water is restored. Many say they have no other choice but to protest since appeals to local authorities have failed.
Johannesburg Water has promised to continue repairs and maintenance during the throttling period, but it remains unclear when communities like Coronationville will receive a stable supply.