Coronationville residents protest water shortages in Joburg, police fire rubber bullets
Protestors holding a sign reading “We want water” during a demonstration in Coronationville, Johannesburg. The area has faced prolonged water cuts, prompting unrest.
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers
Angry residents in Coronationville, Joburg, staged a protest on Wednesday, demanding a water supply in the area.
They barricaded roads with burning tires, stones, and garbage, expressing frustration over the prolonged water crisis.
A heavy police presence was visible as the protest intensified. Officers fired rubber bullets in attempts to disperse the crowd, but demonstrators continued to gather.
On Monday, Johannesburg Water said bulk water supplier Rand Water had resumed pumping at full capacity from midnight at the Eikenhof Pump Station.
“The restoration follows power challenges over the weekend at the bulk supplier’s Vereeniging Raw Water Treatment Plant,” the utility said in a statement.
“These issues reduced the capacity of the Eikenhof Pump Station and, in turn, affected supply into some of Johannesburg Water's systems.”
While Johannesburg Water noted improved inflows, it said the system remains constrained.
Futher improvements were anticipated between Wednesday and Thursday as inflows stabilised.
The following systems remain impacted: the Commando System (which supplies Crosby, Brixton, Hursthill and Coronationville), Waterval Tower, Quellerina Tower, Crown Gardens Reservoir, Eagles Nest Reservoir and Naturena Reservoir.
Meanwhile, Johannesburg Metro Police Department spokesperson Xolani Fihla advised motorists of significant traffic disruptions due to the protests.
“Motorists are advised of heavy traffic disruptions in Coronationville, Westbury, West Dean, Martindale and Sophiatown due to ongoing protest action by residents who are aggrieved over prolonged water outages,” Fihla said.
Streets in Coronationville were choked with smoke and scattered with burning tires, garbage and rubber bullets on Wednesday as angry residents protested over ongoing water shortages in the Johannesburg suburb.
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers
He said several major roads were closed, including Fuel Road, Harmony Street, Main Road, Perth Road and Portland Avenue.
“Law enforcement officials have been deployed,” he added.
Motorists are urged to exercise caution and use alternative routes such as Albertina Sisulu Road and Main Reef Road.
The protest is still ongoing.
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