Blog categorized as Press Release

The Peoples’ Water Forum demands an investigation into Soshanguve protest shooting 

The Peoples’ Water Forum demands an investigation into Soshanguve protest shooting 

The People’s Water Forum condemns in the strongest possible terms the shooting of Soshanguve residents with rubber bullets while they were protesting the lack of water in their community.

Residents in Soshanguve have reportedly been without water for two weeks. Across Gauteng, dry taps over days and...

12.02.2026 15:04:46
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Johannesburg Living Day Zero as WaterCAN Calls for Water Crisis Declaration

Johannesburg Living Day Zero as WaterCAN Calls for Water Crisis Declaration

Johannesburg is facing a widespread and escalating water crisis, with residents across the city effectively living under Day Zero conditions as failures by Johannesburg Water and Rand Water continue unchecked, says WaterCAN.

Communities in Kensington, Emmarentia, Meldene, and many other areas fed b...

09.02.2026 13:51:36
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Johannesburg trapped in a cycle of water crises and poor communication says WaterCAN

Johannesburg trapped in a cycle of water crises and poor communication says WaterCAN

Large parts of Johannesburg have been without reliable water for weeks and, in some cases, months - only exacerbated by poor communication from all the responsible government agencies, says WaterCAN.


WaterCAN, a national water advocacy non-profit organisation, has found that, communities in Melville...


03.02.2026 10:56:43
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Dysfunctional wasterwater treatment works across eThekwini to blame for beach closures, says WaterCAN. 

Dysfunctional wasterwater treatment works across eThekwini to blame for beach closures, says WaterCAN. 

Durban beaches will likely continue to face sporadic closures until the fundamental problem - repairing and restoring the city’s failing wastewater treatment network - is properly resolved, says WaterCAN.

WaterCAN, along with its partners Save Our Rivers and Sea from Sewage (SORFS) and Adopt-a-River...

21.12.2025 14:32:17
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Free State water crisis: Water provision must be prioritised, says WaterCAN

Free State water crisis: Water provision must be prioritised, says WaterCAN

Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality is facing a chronic breakdown in basic water and sanitation services that is endangering public health, undermining dignity, and requiring urgent intervention, says WaterCAN.

WaterCAN said the latest crisis is another chapter in Free State communities’ ongoing fight for...

17.12.2025 16:44:53
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Unacceptable communication at the core of the latest Joburg Water fiasco, says WaterCAN

Unacceptable communication at the core of the latest Joburg Water fiasco, says WaterCAN

With much-needed Rand Water maintenance underway on critical infrastructure supplying Johannesburg, WaterCAN is raising concern that the City of Johannesburg and Johannesburg Water systems are not coping with the knock-on impacts. While the maintenance itself is necessary, inadequate planning and po...

15.12.2025 17:35:45
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In Bekkersdal and Merafong, residents cry for water justice 

In Bekkersdal and Merafong, residents cry for water justice 

By Nhlanhla Sibisi, Campaigns Coordinator, WaterCAN


The communities of Bekkersdal and Merafong are living with the legacy of a failed municipal system on water delivery, particularly when it comes to access to safe water – a basic human right guaranteed by the South African constitution.

What many st...


12.12.2025 11:02:19
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WaterCAN citizen tests reveal unsafe drinking water in eight municipalities across South Africa

WaterCAN citizen tests reveal unsafe drinking water in eight municipalities across South Africa

The Annual WaterCAN Citizen Science Water Testing Week held in September has confirmed that unsafe water is not an isolated rural problem but a widespread national risk affecting communities across all nine provinces.

The most alarming results come from drinking-water sources that should be safe at t...

11.12.2025 19:50:37
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WaterCAN: Stop the non-payment. Restore water. Protect lives.

WaterCAN: Stop the non-payment. Restore water. Protect lives.
  • Contractor suspension hits informal settlements again, amid alleged nonpayment.
  • Debt crisis fuels stoppages, delays, and extended water cuts citywide.
  • WaterCAN demands timelines, transparency, investigation, and ring-fenced water funds.
09.12.2025 15:56:07
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WaterCAN raises alarm over unsafe tap water in Tulbagh – calls for immediate boil water notice and urgent intervention

WaterCAN raises alarm over unsafe tap water in Tulbagh – calls for immediate boil water notice and urgent intervention

UPDATE 18 December 2025: WaterCAN has been in contact with both the Witzenberg Municipality and the Western Cape Government concerning the crisis in Tulbagh. As soon as we have more details we will provide an updated statement.

07.12.2025 21:54:02
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