This is a series of articles on the supply of water to Johannesburg, particularly the long-term viability of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.
Water tankers everywhere in Joburg, yet surprisingly hard to find
Johannesburg deploys dozens of tankers daily during outages. We tried to find them
By Seth Thorne
News | 26 June 2026
Joburg watches R10-billion flow down the drain
Auditor-General publishes scathing report on City’s water management
By Seth Thorne
Brief | 24 June 2026
Water is so close, yet so far for this Joburg neighbourhood
Thembelihle residents struggle daily to get water, but they watch dozens of water tankers fill up and then drive past
Text by Seth Thorne. Photos by Ihsaan Haffejee.
News | 23 June 2026
Johannesburg won’t say who its water tanker suppliers are
Proliferation of water tankers across SA “is a brazen form of corruption” that has turned a temporary measure into an exploitative business, says HRC commissioner
By Seth Thorne
News | 8 June 2026
Meet the neighbourhood watch patrolling a river to stop pollution
The Roodekrans Neighbourhood Watch believes water needs to be protected as much as people and property
By Seth Thorne
News | 28 May 2026
Gauteng water crisis in the spotlight at SAHRC inquiry
Auditor-General and civil society organisations made submissions on Tuesday
By Seth Thorne
News | 20 May 2026
Joburg mom faces bankruptcy over R2.9-million water bill
Experts say a leak this size on her property is unlikely, while the City insists on 50% payment before engaging in dispute resolution
By Seth Thorne
News | 29 April 2026
Human Rights Commission calls for submissions on Gauteng water crisis
The public has until 30 April to make submissions. Hearings are planned for May.
By Seth Thorne
Brief | 15 April 2026
Joburg households set up their own network to deal with the water crisis
Started by a Ridgeway resident, the borehole network connects about 100 private homes across 15 suburbs
News | 9 April 2026