Johannesburg Water Crisis Intensifies, Calls for President Ramaphosa's Resignation Mount

Protests Escalate Amidst Prolonged Outages

Johannesburg, South Africa – Frustrated residents and activist groups have intensified protests across Johannesburg, demanding urgent intervention from the government to address the city's deepening water crisis. On Sunday, February 8, 2026, the Water Crisis Committee marched to the headquarters of Johannesburg Water in Newtown, calling for the situation to be declared a national disaster. Concurrently, the Activists and Citizens Forum also planned a protest outside the same location, explicitly demanding the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa.

These demonstrations follow earlier protests in early February 2026, where residents in areas such as Midrand and Laudium took to the streets after experiencing prolonged water outages, some lasting for days or even weeks. The immediate triggers for the recent widespread disruptions include a multi-system failure, notably an explosion at the Zuikerbosch Water Treatment Plant on January 27, 2026, followed by a leak at the Klipfontein Reservoir inlet. Affected areas have included Midrand, Melville, Brixton, Selby, and Orange Farm, with some communities enduring inconsistent or no water supply for extended periods.

Demands for Accountability and Leadership Change

The calls for President Ramaphosa's resignation stem from accusations of deep-rooted corruption, sabotage, and poor leadership contributing to the water woes. Dennis Bloem, spokesperson for the Activists and Citizens Forum, stated, 'The government and President Cyril Ramaphosa must, just for once, admit that they have failed the country. President Cyril Ramaphosa must do the honourable thing and resign. He has failed the country.' The forum has urged for an independent investigation into the alleged corruption within the water supply system.

Beyond the presidential resignation, protesters and civil society organizations have put forth several demands:

• Declaration of Johannesburg's water crisis as a national disaster.
• Improved and direct communication from Johannesburg Water and Rand Water to consumers.
• Implementation of tighter water restrictions.
• Daily public briefings from water authorities with clear timelines and explanations.
• Addressing issues of ring-fencing water funds, implementing a Water Turnaround Strategy, and investigating tanker contracts, as highlighted in a November 2025 protest led by the Joburg Crisis Alliance (JCA).

Root Causes of Johannesburg's Water Crisis

The current crisis is attributed to a confluence of factors that have plagued the city's water infrastructure for years. A primary cause is the aging and crumbling infrastructure, with nearly half of the municipal water supply (around 47.4% nationally) lost before reaching consumers due to leaks and theft. Decades of neglect, poor maintenance, and insufficient investment have left the system vulnerable to failures.

Furthermore, mismanagement and poor governance, coupled with allegations of corruption, have diverted resources from essential repairs and upgrades. High water consumption, exacerbated by a growing population and recent heatwaves with temperatures climbing above 30°C, places significant strain on the already fragile network. While South Africa is naturally a water-scarce country, climate change, including prolonged droughts and extreme weather events, has further compounded the scarcity.

Impact on Residents and Economy

The prolonged water outages have had a severe impact on the daily lives of Johannesburg's millions of residents. Many households, particularly those with elderly family members, face immense stress and logistical challenges in securing water for basic needs. The crisis has led to the closure of schools and businesses in affected areas, highlighting the significant economic disruption. Concerns are also rising about the potential for a public health emergency, with an increased risk of waterborne illnesses due to unreliable access to clean water.

Experts warn that the country is at a critical juncture, with delayed action threatening economic growth. The situation underscores a broader national water crisis, with national water reliability at only 68% and water quality declining in 60% of water supply systems. Civil society groups describe the situation as a 'human rights and economic emergency,' emphasizing that access to water is a constitutional right.