SAHRC: Human Right to Access Water Violated by Tshwane, Joburg, Ekurhuleni

• The South African Human Rights Commission confirmed that Tshwane, Johannesburg, and Ekurhuleni are violating residents' human right to access clean water.
• These cities are losing approximately one billion litres of treated water daily due to infrastructure failures, with annual losses valued at R2.82 billion.
• Johannesburg alone requires R27 billion to fix its broken water infrastructure, with current responses deemed insufficient.
• Significant funds, including R165 million in Johannesburg for 2023/24, are being spent on water tankers instead of permanent solutions.
• Ekurhuleni and Tshwane are contributing to severe environmental damage by discharging non-compliant sewage into waterways.

Access to clean water is fundamental, representing the difference between life and death, and its denial is now directly linked to risking human lives.

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has officially confirmed that the human right to access clean water is being violated for residents in Tshwane, Johannesburg, and Ekurhuleni. This declaration aligns with the lived experience of many citizens in these metropolitan areas, highlighting a critical failure in public service delivery. The Commission explicitly stated that while water resources are available, the cities, despite their self-proclaimed "world-class" status, are failing to provide it to their populations.

This dire situation has been attributed to a systemic decline in municipal infrastructure and operational capabilities. Engineering capacity has reportedly diminished, essential pipes and pumps have fallen into disrepair, and reservoirs are failing to function adequately. Furthermore, instances of contaminated water reaching taps have been reported, compounding the health risks for residents. The crisis has also seen the emergence of a "billion-rand business" around water tankers, indicating a shift from sustainable infrastructure to temporary, costly solutions.

The extent of the water crisis is underscored by significant physical losses of treated water across the affected municipalities. Calculations indicate that Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni collectively lose approximately one billion litres of treated water daily. This represents an immense waste of a vital resource and a clear indicator of governance failure. Specifically, Tshwane is experiencing an annual loss of 39% of its clean water, while Johannesburg loses 44.8% each year.

The financial implications of these losses are substantial, estimated at approximately R2.82 billion annually. To address the severe infrastructure damage, Johannesburg alone requires an estimated R27 billion. However, the current governmental response to these infrastructure needs has been deemed "insufficient," suggesting a lack of adequate investment and strategic planning to rectify the deep-seated problems.

Compounding the infrastructure failures is the significant expenditure on water tankers, which has drawn scrutiny. Johannesburg spent R165 million on tankers in the 2023/24 financial year alone, while Emfuleni allocated R79 million over five years for similar services. Tshwane's expenditure on water tankers has previously been reported at R777 million, raising concerns about the allocation of public funds towards temporary fixes rather than long-term solutions.

Beyond supply issues, the municipalities are also facing severe environmental challenges due to inadequate wastewater management. Ekurhuleni and Tshwane are identified as major contributors to this problem, with Ekurhuleni admitting to discharging non-compliant effluent into the Rietvlei river. Tshwane's wastewater treatment performance is described as "severely deficient," leading to unlawful sewage pollution in waterways and further endangering public health and ecosystems.

The confirmed violation of the human right to access water places the current political leadership in Tshwane, Johannesburg, and Ekurhuleni under intense scrutiny. Access to clean water is fundamental, representing the difference between life and death, and its denial is now directly linked to risking human lives. This situation has escalated to the point where water-shedding has commenced in Gauteng, further disrupting daily life and economic activity.

In stark contrast to the widespread failures, the SAHRC has recognized the DA-run Midvaal municipality for its "sound management" of water resources. This distinction highlights a significant divergence in governance outcomes within the region. The ongoing crisis, characterized by chaos and human rights violations, presents a critical choice for residents regarding future leadership and the urgent need for effective strategies to restore reliable water services.

Source: Original reporting via DA statement.