Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina says illegal mining activities are a major contributor to Gauteng’s ongoing water challenges, particularly in the West Rand, where ageing infrastructure and excessive demand have strained supply systems.
Majodina said her department is working closely with the mining sector to curb unlawful water use and develop long-term solutions.
“We know the area of the West Rand most of their problems stem from illegal miners who use a lot of water,” she said. “We are going to develop a clear programme to close water pipelines that run through mines that are no longer productive.”
Large parts of the province have been grappling with water disruptions due to infrastructure breakdowns and poor maintenance, leaving many communities without reliable supply.
In Johannesburg, residents in several areas have endured weeks of dry taps and inconsistent water flow, forcing households to rely on water tankers for daily needs.
Despite the ongoing crisis, Majodina said a national disaster declaration is not necessary at this stage, noting that most reservoirs have stabilised.
However, she acknowledged that some areas remain under pressure and require targeted interventions.
“We have 52 water carts on the ground as an interim measure until systems recover,” she said. “We have also agreed to implement certain restrictions, similar to load shedding, where water will be shifted to support areas facing shortages.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to outline government’s broader strategy to address the water crisis when he delivers the State of the Nation Address later on Thursday.
For now, authorities are betting on repairs and tighter controls to steady the system though for residents watching empty taps, relief can’t come soon enough.