Westbury and Coronationville Residents Threaten Renewed Protests After Joburg Water “No-Show”
Natalie Nyathi
Residents of Westbury and Coronationville are threatening to take to the streets once again to protest ongoing water supply issues, after a planned meeting with Joburg Water officials failed to materialize. Community leaders met with representatives from Mayor Dada Morero’s office on Thursday, but Joburg Water representatives were absent, sparking further frustration and anger.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss potential solutions to the persistent water problems plaguing the communities. Residents report that their water supply remains inconsistent, despite promises from Joburg Water to restore it by the end of the week. “We are very disappointed that Joburg Water officials did not attend the meeting,” said Sainy van Zyl, a frustrated community leader. “This was an opportunity to hold them accountable.”
In response to the missed meeting and ongoing concerns, community leaders have warned that protests will resume if the water supply is not reliably restored. Police are reportedly preparing for potential unrest as residents mobilize and block roads.
Joburg Water provided a written statement to EWN, stating that “the construction of a new pipeline intended to boost water supply is progressing as planned” and that commissioning testing would begin soon. The new pipeline is being built from the nearby Crosby Reservoir to increase supply to the communities. Joburg Water had previously announced intervention measures, including the new pipeline, to address the water shortages. Road cutting and trenching were completed by the end of September, with pipe-laying and valve installation underway.
However, despite these efforts, residents say the implemented measures have not resulted in improved water access. While there has been some intermittent supply, the problem persists.
One resident who spoke to EWN noted that “the water supply slows down during the day and is stronger in the late afternoon, but often cuts off again at night.”
The water crisis in Westbury and Coronationville is not a new issue. Residents have been struggling with unreliable water supply for years. In September, protests erupted over the ongoing shortages, leading to road blockades and clashes with police. The City of Johannesburg, under the leadership of Executive Mayor Dada Morero, has been under increasing pressure to address the situation.
Mayor Morero has apologized to the affected communities and stated that the city is working to restore water supply. He has also emphasized the City’s commitment to transparent governance and collaboration with partners to deliver sustainable water and sanitation services.
The City of Johannesburg is undertaking several projects to improve water infrastructure, including the Crosby Reservoir and new pipeline, the Brixton Reservoir and Tower upgrade, and the Zuikerbosch Water Treatment Plant and Vaal River Intervention projects. These projects aim to enhance infrastructure resilience, improve water reliability, and reduce non-revenue water losses.
Despite these efforts, residents remain frustrated and skeptical, demanding immediate and lasting solutions to the water crisis. The absence of Joburg Water officials from the planned meeting has only fueled their anger and determination to continue protesting until their water supply is reliably restored.
