Rubber bullets fired as Joburg's water crisis gets worse

Gauteng Premier convenes emergency meeting

- MASABATA MKWANANZI [e-mail]

JOHANNESBURG'S escalating water crisis has sparked furious protests in Coronationville, forcing Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi to convene an emergency meeting with the mayor of Joburg as unrest spreads.

Angry residents of Coronationville, Johannesburg, took to the streets yesterday, barricading roads with burning tyres, stones, and garbage as they demanded an end to the prolonged water crisis.

At least 11 injuries have been reported due to police using rubber bullets for dispersal. However, Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masando denied any claims of fatalities.

Residents have vowed not to back down until their taps ran again.

According to reports, the area has been facing water shortages for over seven years.

Recently, residents in Soweto, particularly in areas like Protea Glen and Diepkloof, have frequently protested against severe and prolonged water shortages, barricading roads with stones and burning tyres to demand a consistent water supply from authorities.

In light of this, Lesufi announced yesterday that he will convene an urgent meeting with all executive mayors in the province to address the surge of service delivery protests impacting several townships.

Lesufi explained that the meeting aims to develop coordinated strategies to resolve the ongoing crisis, which has seen widespread unrest rooted in water shortages and electricity disruptions.

Speaking to IOL at the Global Governance Space seminar in Johannesburg, Lesufi extended an apology to residents affected by the protests and highlighted the government's commitment to resolving the situation swiftly.

"This unfortunate turn of events is regretted," Lesufi said.