Mapaballo Borotho
- Johannesburg Water employees have embarked on a strike and go-slow over disputes related to bonus payments, amid worsening water challenges in the city.
- The industrial action could delay repairs and disrupt water supply, with some areas already without water for nearly two weeks.
- Authorities warn that high water consumption across Gauteng is placing severe strain on water supply systems and increasing the risk of outages.
Johannesburg Water employees have reportedly embarked on a strike and a go-slow following disputes with management.
Workers met with management on Monday, 09 February 2026, to discuss bonus payments. The discussion was organised by the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU).
The reported strike and go-slow come at a difficult time, as water issues continue to worsen in the city. This could slow down repair work during a water crisis exacerbated by high demand and a multi-system failure.
The Democratic Alliance’s Tyrell Meyers says the impact of the workers’ strike is significant, as it would affect water supply and the repair of burst pipes across the city.
“We have also heard that water tankers have not been delivered. This comes at a time when Midrand, Melville and surrounding areas have already been struggling for almost two weeks without water,” said Meyers.
Several water systems across the city remain severely constrained due to planned structural repair work and high demand.
Meanwhile, Rand Water has warned that persistently high water usage in Gauteng, particularly in Johannesburg and Tshwane, is placing “significant strain” on the overall water supply network and contributing to outages in other areas.
On Monday, 09 February 2026, the City of Tshwane said it is experiencing excessively high water consumption, which is putting the city’s water network system under severe strain.
City spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said this is placing the entire water supply at risk.
Hammanskraal, Mamelodi and some areas in Pretoria North have been identified as areas with exceptionally high water usage.
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