South Africa: Further water restrictions water outages planned in Gauteng Province, Dec. 13-16 /update 2

Further water provision disruptions are likely in Gauteng Province through mid-December as authorities announce additional planned outages Dec. 13-14. Rand Water has also announced that planned maintenance in Johannesburg and Ekhurhuleni (East Rand) would result in supply interruptions. The following areas of Johannesburg will be affected:

• Soweto, Randburg/Roodepoort, Commando, Lenasia, Johannesburg Central, Eagles Nest, Crown Gardens, Aeroton, and Alan Manor for 86 hours between 07:00 Dec. 13 to Dec. 16;

• Crown Gardens, Eagles Nest, Parktown, Barea, Forest Hill, Aland Manor, Naturena, Aeroton, Orlando East, and Hector Norris for 36 hours between 05:00 Dec. 13 to Dec. 14.

The following areas of Ekhurhuleni will be affected:

• In Benoni: Benoni, Morehill, Crystal Park, Farrarmere, Northmead, Brentwood Park, Goedeburg, Rynfield, Rynfeild AH, and Eboste for 36 hours between 05:00 Dec. 13-17:00 Dec. 14.

• In Boksburg: Van Dyk Park, Parkrand Boksburg CBD, Parkdene, Cinderella, Boksburg East Industrial, Parts of Sunward Park and Farrar Park for 36 hours between 05:00 Dec. 13-17:00 Dec. 14.

As of Dec. 9, in addition to planned maintenance, authorities in Johannesburg are maintaining water restrictions, with decreased water pressure occurring daily overnight from 21:00-04:00. Restrictions began on Nov. 14 to help replenish water reserves, which an ongoing drought, high consumption, and inadequate maintenance of water systems have depleted. Johannesburg also maintains level 1 water usage restrictions, including the prohibition of garden watering, car washing, and the filling of swimming pools between 06:00-18:00. Localized protests, including road blockages, have been reported in some suburbs of Johannesburg, including Claremont, Coronationville, Emmarentia, Lenasia, Melville, Protea Glen, Westbury, and Westdene.

Authorities may increase the duration of restrictions in the coming days; disruptions could also affect nearby Pretoria (Tshwane) in the coming weeks. Disruptions could include reduced flow rate or shortages. Outages could extend beyond the estimated restoration time. Business disruptions are possible, especially for companies that rely on large quantities of municipal water. Essential services, including hospitals and health facilities, could experience disruptions due to water cuts despite contingency plans. Spontaneous protests are possible in areas affected by water shortages, especially in lower-income areas or near government buildings, such as the Johannesburg Council Chambers. In the event of protests, increased security and road travel disruptions stemming from blockades are likely. Violence, while unlikely, remains possible.