Activists warn of life-threatening water shortages across South Africa

A civil society movement, Activists and Citizens Forum, has attributed South Africa’s worsening water crisis to corruption, sabotage, and failing municipalities, describing it as a “man-made disaster.”

The organisation said that water supply has become a lucrative business involving some officials, with shortages now affecting areas ranging from informal settlements to suburbs such as Midrand in Gauteng for days and, at times, weeks.

Spokesperson Dennis Bloem said that the forum accuses the government of failing to act and is urging swift intervention, warning that the crisis is life-threatening and costing lives.

“We wonder if President Ramaphosa feels the pain when old and young people are crying publicly just to have water,” said Bloem.

“How does he feel when he sees old people with buckets searching for water? How does he feel when children cannot go to school because they don't have water to wash themselves?”