Helen Zille, the Federal Chairperson of the Democratic Alliance (DA), has launched a sharp critique of Johannesburg’s current municipal government, holding the African National Congress (ANC), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and Patriotic Alliance (PA) responsible for the city’s worsening water crisis.
Speaking at a DA briefing, Zille accused the coalition government of failing to address the water supply issues that have left residents across Johannesburg struggling with prolonged outages. “When the DA was in charge in Johannesburg, we were working to improve the water supply. Now, under the ANC, EFF, and PA, there is no water,” she stated.
Zille’s comments come as neighborhoods such as Roodepoort, Brixton, and parts of Soweto face days-long water shortages. Johannesburg Water has cited persistent infrastructure failures, depleted reservoirs, and load shedding—which disrupts water pumping stations—as key factors behind the crisis.
The current coalition government, which took office in 2023 after ousting the DA-led administration through a motion of no confidence, has defended its handling of the situation. Spokespersons for the ANC, EFF, and PA dismissed Zille’s remarks as political opportunism, arguing that the city inherited a crumbling water system from previous administrations.
[ICYMI] “When the DA was in power in Joburg, we were fixing water. Now that the EFF, PA, and ANC are in power there’s no water, ” DA Federal Chairperson Helen Zille. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/YgAh1zjESg
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) March 22, 2025
Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda emphasized that the city is working with Rand Water and Eskom to address supply challenges. “This is not about politics; it is about the historical neglect of infrastructure, population growth, and external factors like power cuts,” he said.
However, Mpho Phalatse, leader of the DA’s Johannesburg Caucus, countered that the coalition has failed to implement meaningful solutions. “We warned that handing the city over to an unstable coalition would be disastrous. Now, residents are paying the price,” she said.
The water crisis has left many Johannesburg residents frustrated and reliant on water tankers and boreholes. A Northcliff resident lamented, “We can’t cook, we can’t clean, and yet we’re still being charged for water we don’t receive.”
Water activist groups are calling for urgent interventions, including investments in backup power solutions for pumping stations and accelerated pipeline repairs.
As the water crisis deepens and political finger-pointing continues, millions of Johannesburg residents are left grappling with unreliable access to safe water. The situation underscores the urgent need for effective governance and long-term infrastructure solutions to address the city’s growing water challenges.