One of the busiest courts in South Africa, the South Gauteng High Court in downtown Johannesburg, was temporarily shut down on Thursday morning due to an ongoing water shortage. This decision was made as the city faces a severe water crisis, impacting not only the court’s daily operations but also the lives of residents across the region. The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) informed the public, court users, and legal practitioners about the closure, stating that alternative arrangements would be made for all scheduled court matters. They also offered their apologies for any inconvenience caused by the unexpected disruption.
This closure highlights the severity of the water shortage, which has been affecting Johannesburg’s residents for weeks. While the high court’s temporary shutdown is a visible sign of the crisis, it is only one of many challenges faced by the city. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has raised the issue with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), claiming that the water shortages are a direct violation of the constitutional right to sufficient water. According to Jack Bloom, a DA member of the Gauteng provincial legislature, residents are dealing with erratic water supplies, with some going without water entirely for up to three weeks.
The situation has become so dire that residents have resorted to coping with very little water, either by using the trickle of water that flows at night or chasing after the few water tankers that are available. Bloom also pointed out that the City of Johannesburg is violating Section 27(1)(b) of the Constitution, which ensures every person’s right to enough water. He added that hundreds of testimonials have been submitted, detailing the hardships faced by residents, including challenges in keeping clean, maintaining sanitation, preparing food, and caring for children and sick family members. In addition, the shortage has led to illnesses, increased household and business expenses, and general frustration across the city.
The DA is calling for immediate intervention by the SAHRC to hold the Johannesburg City Council accountable for the ongoing crisis. They also urge the provincial government to declare a state of disaster and provide emergency relief, including additional water tankers, while addressing the root causes of the water shortage. With nearly half of the city’s reservoirs and towers either critically low or completely empty, the demand for water has far outstripped the available supply.
Joburg Water, the entity responsible for managing the city’s water supply, confirmed that the water supply systems are under significant strain. The problem has been exacerbated by power failures in the eMfuleni Local Municipality, which affected Rand Water’s Forest Hill and Eikenhof systems. Though power was restored and pumping resumed at full capacity, Joburg Water warned that the situation remains fragile, with lower reservoir and tower levels continuing to cause problems. The city’s water systems are expected to remain under pressure until capacity issues are addressed, leaving residents in a challenging position as they struggle to meet basic needs in the face of an ongoing crisis.
