Cape Town – Police have fired rubber bullets at residents protesting water shortages in Kokosi, on Johannesburg’s West Rand, after they blocked the N12 highway.
On the morning of Tuesday, 23 September, residents from the Merafong City Local Municipality took to the streets to express their anger over the ongoing water crisis in the area.
This is just another example of one more ruined municipality thanks to @MYANC. The town of Fochville is has been blocked off by protesters due to failing service delivery and inaction of @MerafongCityLM. @steenekampcarl @Our_DA we need someone in charge who can help fix this pic.twitter.com/Lcv6NO43g5
— Grumpy Kitteh (@grumpykitteh) September 23, 2025
According to EWN, the water cuts stem from the Merafong Municipality’s R1.4 billion debt to Rand Water.
Police fired teargas and rubber bullets after the residents took their protest from Kokosi township to the N12 highways, causing traffic delays.
Community leaders accused the government of dragging its feet in addressing the ongoing water crisis on the West Rand.
The shortages have disrupted teaching and learning, with students and teachers unable to attend classes, while some businesses have been forced to shut down due to the lack of water.
The Greater Fochville Water Crisis Committee condemned the police’s use of rubber bullets, saying they had only been trying to address the crowds when officers unexpectedly opened fire.
“…You see what is surprising? When we got here, when we were still connecting our sound to address people, to move to the point where the mayor will come and receive the memoranda, the police suddenly started shooting.
“So we don’t know what led to that because we spoke to them yesterday in our meeting that this is how we are going to move, and this is the point where we are going to assemble”, said Water Crisis Committee leader Buti Mthembu.
[WATCH] Residents of Kokosi in Merafong Local Municipality have handed over a memorandum of their demands over water and service delivery. They want the mayor to resign and the municipality to be placed under administration. pic.twitter.com/6pGnBmVv4e
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) September 23, 2025
@IOL
Amid burning tyres and picketing residents of Fochville serviced by theb Merafong Local Municipality mayor Nozuko Best has arrived in R500 main road to address the residents who are protesting over water shortages in Kokosi and other affected townships in the area. pic.twitter.com/hjJgfd1BTM— SiyabongaG2 (@SiyabongaG2) September 23, 2025
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Compiled by Anda Tolibadi
