A recent Gauteng High Court ruling has led to the restoration of water access for thousands of vulnerable individuals in Johannesburg. The decision mandates Johannesburg Water to immediately reconnect supply to 23 NGOs operating at the Children’s Memorial Institute in Braamfontein. These organisations provide essential services to children, families, and crisis-affected individuals. The court’s intervention reinforces the principle that basic human rights must be upheld, even amid municipal and administrative conflicts.
The City of Johannesburg and Johannesburg Water had previously disconnected water services due to unresolved billing and account disputes. However, the action was taken without proper notification or an opportunity for the NGOs to respond. The sudden lack of water severely disrupted daily operations, compromising hygiene, food preparation, and health services.
The water disconnection had a profound effect on the operations of NGOs, many of which support disabled children and survivors of abuse. Without clean water, health risks rose, essential therapy services were halted, and sanitary conditions could not be maintained. The crisis threatened the wellbeing of both staff and beneficiaries.
Judge Mudunwazi Makamu, presiding over the case, ordered the city to reconnect the water within two days. The judge emphasized the necessity of procedural fairness, requiring authorities to notify affected parties in advance and allow them the opportunity to respond. Additionally, the court instructed the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development to establish a fair interim system for allocating utility accounts to individual tenants.
The legal advocacy organisation Section27 played a key role in representing the affected NGOs. The group highlighted the constitutional implications of the water cut and welcomed the court’s recognition of the urgency of the situation. The ruling has been described as essential in safeguarding the dignity and rights of vulnerable communities.
The case sets a legal precedent by affirming the obligation of municipalities to provide advance notice and ensure fair procedures when managing service delivery disputes. It establishes the rights of lawful occupiers in public buildings to maintain access to basic utilities such as water.
Following the ruling, water services were restored at the Children’s Memorial Institute, allowing NGOs to resume operations focused on supporting vulnerable populations. The case underlines the importance of improved coordination between government departments, landlords, and utility providers, ensuring that critical services are not disrupted in the future.
