Melville woman shocks traffic with roadside shower over water shortages
Motorists in Melville were left stunned this week when a woman dragged a bottle of water and shampoo into the middle of the road and began taking a ‘shower’ in full view of traffic.
The demonstration was part of a day’s long protest where the residents were voicing out their frustrations over not having water for three weeks.
“No more empty tap promises. Bring back water to Joburg,” read one placard.
The demonstration occurred on Wednesday, 11 February, as residents rallied after going 23 days without municipal water.
One lane of traffic in each direction was blocked, causing minor delays, though most drivers appeared to hoot in solidarity with the protesters.
“This event underscores the community’s collective concern about the mismanagement and failing water infrastructure in Johannesburg. Melville residents say they cannot stay silent any longer,” said the non-profit organisation, Mobilize.
It isn’t just the suburb that has been affected; across Johannesburg, residents say the water shortage has caused chaos in their lives.
The government has now acknowledged the scale of the problem.
On Friday, acting spokesperson Keith Khoza explained that while Rand Water, which supplies potable water estimated 11 to 18 million people, has restored full capacity.
“Rand Water has since restored full capacity. However, municipal systems, particularly in the City of Johannesburg, remain under pressure due to low reservoir levels, high demand during the heatwave, ageing infrastructure, and water losses averaging 33%,” he said.
To tackle the crisis, the deputy president, Paul Mashatile, chairperson of the Water Task Team, convened a meeting with ministers and officials.
Measures include deploying water tankers to affected areas, providing technical support to municipalities, and prioritising system recovery and load shifting.
“Government expects supply to progressively stabilise over the coming week, subject to reduced demand.”
The City of Johannesburg also addressed concerns over speculation that ‘Day Zero’ had been reached on Tuesday, February 10.
Officials said that while the city had continued to receive and distribute water across the municipality, the system remained under significant pressure due to high demand, infrastructure constraints, and ongoing supply challenges.
“To intensify coordination and fast-track interventions, an Intergovernmental Water War Room has been established, bringing together the City of Johannesburg, Rand Water, Gauteng Provincial Government, and national stakeholders.
“This structure is actively monitoring the system in real time, coordinating technical responses, accelerating repairs, and implementing demand-management measures to stabilise supply and protect critical infrastructure,” said the city.
IOL News