JOHANNESBURG — Tensions flared on Johannesburg’s West Rand on Tuesday as police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at protesting residents from Kokosi township. The demonstrators, frustrated over more than a month without water, took to the streets and blocked the N12 highway, demanding immediate government action to restore water supply.
The unrest stems from a deepening service delivery crisis in the Merafong Municipality, which owes a staggering R1.4 billion to Rand Water. The mounting debt has led to severe water cuts, leaving thousands of residents without access to clean running water—a basic human right.
Tuesday’s protest marked a turning point in the community’s growing frustration, as residents marched from Kokosi and moved onto the N12, halting traffic and bringing attention to their plight in a way that could no longer be ignored.
Police Fire Rubber Bullets Amid Escalating Protest
According to community leaders, the water outages have persisted for over a month with little to no communication from government officials. Households have been left dry, sanitation has been compromised, and the community’s patience has worn thin.
Residents say they have made several appeals to local and provincial authorities, but claim their cries for help have been met with silence.
“We are tired of empty promises. Our children can’t go to school, the elderly are suffering, and we can’t even flush our toilets,” said one protester holding a placard reading “No Water, No Vote.”
The demonstration quickly escalated when protestors began setting up barricades along the N12, using burning tyres, rocks, and other debris to block access to the highway. In response, police fired rubber bullets and deployed tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowd.
Eyewitnesses reported chaotic scenes as protesters scattered, some reportedly injured in the process. Police maintained a strong presence throughout the day, warning that any illegal gatherings or road blockades would be met with force.
“Law enforcement had no choice but to intervene when the protest began to impact public safety and disrupt major transport routes,” said a police spokesperson. “We are engaging with community leaders to resolve the situation peacefully.”
The ripple effects of the protest have extended beyond the streets. Several schools in the area suspended teaching and learning for the day, citing safety concerns. Local businesses also closed their doors, either due to the water outage or out of fear of violence.
Parents voiced concern about their children missing valuable learning time, but many stood in solidarity with the protesters. “How can our children learn without water in the schools? They can’t even wash their hands,” said one parent outside a closed primary school.
With empty buckets in hand and placards raised high, protesters made it clear that they will not back down until meaningful action is taken. Many accused the government of dragging its feet and neglecting the basic needs of communities outside urban centers.
“This is not just a Kokosi problem; it’s a South African problem,” said a local activist addressing the crowd. “The water crisis shows how broken our municipalities are. We are not going anywhere until we get water.”
Community leaders say they are open to engagement but are demanding immediate interim solutions—such as water tankers—while long-term debt and infrastructure issues are resolved.
Merafong Municipality has acknowledged the water supply issues but has cited its financial struggles as a major barrier to restoring services. Rand Water, in turn, has confirmed that it scaled back supply due to non-payment, stating that it cannot continue providing services indefinitely without receiving compensation.
Calls are growing louder for intervention from higher levels of government, including the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, to mediate the crisis.
The images of residents clashing with police and blocking a national highway have drawn national media attention. Human rights organizations have begun weighing in, calling the situation unacceptable and urging the government to treat water as a non-negotiable human right.
“The fact that police fire rubber bullets at unarmed residents demanding clean water is a sad reflection of how we respond to poverty and desperation in this country,” said a statement from the South African Human Rights Commission.
Police Fire Rubber Bullets- As of Tuesday evening, tensions remained high, but community representatives said they are still waiting for a formal response from government officials. Until then, the message from Kokosi residents is clear: No water, no peace.
Source- EWN
