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Johannesburg mayor says city's water problems are not a crisis

Published

Mayor Dada Morero admitted in a YouTube interview that Johannesburg has water infrastructure problems. He blamed high consumption and Rand Water's licensed limits, and said the system is not yet at crisis level.

Morero spoke on the Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh Xperience, which aired on Monday night. He said the water challenges do not come from leaks or infrastructure problems but from consumption. He also admitted: "We're losing a lot of water".

Morero said Rand Water told the city it cannot supply more water than its licence allows. He said the city needs more resources and the funding model for municipalities must change. He expects a battle with the water supply for the next few weeks because of heat-related consumption.

The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation puts Johannesburg's non-revenue water at 44.8%. Leaks make up 35% of that share. Rand Water has warned that consumption by several municipal customers reached exceptionally high levels and put severe pressure on the system.

Key facts

Who
Dada Morero (Johannesburg Executive Mayor); Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh (host of the Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh Xperience (SMWX)); Rand Water (bulk water supplier); Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation (parliamentary committee that put Johannesburg's non-revenue water at 44.8%)
What
In an interview on the Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh Xperience broadcast on YouTube, Morero acknowledged water issues in Johannesburg but said he did not believe there was a crisis, blaming consumption and Rand Water's licensed limits.
When
26 October 2026
Where
Johannesburg
Status
Reported

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