On 20 February 2026, deputy-president Paul Mashatile, in his capacity as chairperson of the Water Task Team, led a high-level oversight visit to Johannesburg Water facilities in Midrand, Johannesburg. This article is an official release from the Department of Water and Sanitation.
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Accompanied by Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Executive Mayor Dada Morero, the visit formed part of an intensified and co-ordinated government response to ongoing water supply challenges that have recently disrupted households, communities and businesses throughout the province.
The visit followed a high-level meeting convened by the deputy-president with ministers and senior government officials to assess water supply disruptions that have affected residents and businesses in recent weeks. The interruptions were attributed to a combination of ageing infrastructure, high water demand, leaks in the system, power supply interruptions affecting pumping capacity, and maintenance backlogs.
Water supply has since been restored in most areas. The bulk water supplier, Rand Water, confirmed that it is pumping at full capacity. However, certain systems remain under pressure, including the Commando system, comprising Brixton, Crosby and Hursthill, as well as parts of the Soweto system, particularly the Doornkop and Meadowlands reservoirs, where recovery is ongoing but gradual.
Johannesburg Water continues to monitor all systems closely and implement targeted technical interventions to stabilise supply. Alternative water provision is being co-ordinated with affected ward councillors to mitigate the impact on communities where constraints persist.
During the visit, the deputy-president inspected the construction of a 20-millionℓ reservoir in Carlswald, Midrand, which forms part of long-term infrastructure investment to strengthen water security in the area.
“We are out of troubled waters for now. There is still a long journey ahead and work that needs to be done, but at least the system is now pumping water to residents. There may still be challenges in some areas, but we are getting there,” said Deputy President Mashatile.
The Carlswald reservoir, an 18-month project expected to come on stream in July 2027, is designed to supply water for the next 20 years, with further expansion planned beyond that timeframe. The project will complement existing infrastructure and enhance supply resilience in Midrand and surrounding areas.
In addition, three private developers are working jointly with Johannesburg Water to construct a 10-megalitre reservoir as part of targeted interventions to address localised water supply challenges. The deputy-president welcomed this partnership and encouraged other developers across the country to support infrastructure development initiatives.
Government’s immediate interventions include repairing reservoirs, maintaining and replacing ageing pipes, and undertaking planned maintenance to stabilise the system. In the 2025/26 financial year, approximately R1.7-billion has been budgeted for infrastructure development in Johannesburg.
Over the longer term, augmentation projects are under way to strengthen regional water security, including the construction of the Polihali Dam in Lesotho and other strategic water infrastructure initiatives.
Addressing concerns about the role of the Water Task Team, the deputy-president emphasised that the team brings together key departments, including the Department of Water and Sanitation and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, to co-ordinate rapid interventions while supporting provinces and municipalities with long-term planning.
“When there are challenges, the President wants to know whether they have been fixed, and that is exactly what we are doing,” the deputy-president said.
The oversight visits underscores government’s commitment to unlocking operational bottlenecks, strengthening intergovernmental collaboration, and ensuring reliable and sustainable water supply for the people of Gauteng.
Source:
The Department of Water and Sanitation – IA – Deputy President Paul Mashatile oversees critical interventions to restore water stability in Gauteng – 20 Feb 2026.pdf
