JOBURG TO GET R760M TO FIX WATER CRISIS

Service delivery across the province remains under strain

- SIMON MAJADIBODU

GAUTENG Premier Panyaza Lesufi has blamed infrastructure failures, leaks and high-demand peaks for the water shortage crisis in Gauteng, and has announced a R760 million infrastructure upgrade in the City of Johannesburg, which has been hard hit by outages.

Lesufi made the remarks during his State of the Province Address (SOPA) at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg last night. Service delivery across the province remains under strain, with many townships and informal settlements grappling with water shortages, recurring power outages, crime and deteriorating roads.

The city has long faced water supply challenges, with residents frequently left without running water. Recently, frustrated residents in Midrand, one of the hardest-hit areas, took to the streets last month after being without water for more than 10 days.

The City of Johannesburg receives bulk water from Rand Water, which is distributed by its municipal entity, Joburg Water.

Lesufi said the latest crisis began on January 27, when an explosion at a Rand Water plant disrupted supply.