Cape Town – Angry residents of Coronationville in Johannesburg took to the streets this week, burning tyres and blockading roads to demand a reliable water supply after years of broken promises and dry taps.
The community has endured water shortages for more than seven years, relying on tankers, boreholes and makeshift solutions. Protests flared on Wednesday, forcing Mayor Dada Morero to address residents directly at the Danie van Zyl Recreation Centre.
[WATCH] Tensions remain high in Johannesburg as residents of Westbury and Coronationville demand urgent action over ongoing water shortages. Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero is expected to address the communities after days of unrest. pic.twitter.com/ta28uB6w9Z
— SABC News (@SABCNews) September 11, 2025
Morero admitted that the water system serving Coronationville—known as the Commando System—was “outdated and deteriorating.”
As reported by IOL, he promised that within seven days residents would have water back in their taps, and that 15 water tankers would be deployed immediately.
The mayor added that R800 million has been allocated for long-term refurbishment of the system.
[ON AIR] Ntshaveni Mukwevho, Joburg Water Managing Director, says the bulk water infrastructure in the Coronationville area is not sufficient. #Today #DStv403 #QuestionThinkAct pic.twitter.com/1gbIlLuJLX
— eNCA (@eNCA) September 11, 2025
Residents, however, expressed frustration at what they described as years of neglect. One protester, Ebrahim Kruger, told IOL: “Why do we have to protest first to get the mayor to come here? We can’t have leaders who act only after we are protesting. We have the right to protest and have the right to water.”
Another resident, who asked not to be named, stated that the crisis could have been avoided if the city had acted earlier. “If the city were competent and proactive, none of this would have happened. They knew the water systems were old and damaged,” the resident was quoted as saying.
Johannesburg Water confirmed that the Commando System has been under “severe strain” due to high demand and failing infrastructure, and acknowledged that without urgent upgrades, supply problems will persist, SowetanLIVE reported.
LISTEN: Ivory Park residents in the north of Johannesburg have joined in the increasing number of water protests.
Residents in that community are currently blocking roads with burning tyres and rocks due to a lack of water supply.
Protesters claim the area has been without… pic.twitter.com/dO2BSvuXgv
— POWER987News (@POWER987News) September 11, 2025
The protests turned violent when police used rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse crowds, leaving at least 11 people injured. While some residents claimed there were fatalities, authorities denied this.
According to Daily News, community members insisted they were asking only for “a basic human right” and accused officials of acting only under pressure.
Mayor Morero assured residents that the crisis is being treated as a priority. “This is not a quick fix, but we are putting measures in place to ensure water is restored,” he said, as reported by IOL.
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
