An online petition calling for urgent intervention in the ongoing water crisis affecting the Lesedi Local Municipality has attracted more than 3,800 signatures as frustration continues to grow among residents.
The petition, signed by residents, business owners and ratepayers from Heidelberg, Rensburg, Ratanda and surrounding communities, calls on the Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), the Public Protector and the Department of Water and Sanitation to intervene in what petitioners describe as a collapse of the municipality’s water supply system.
According to the petition, the municipality’s debt to Rand Water has risen to R122 million. Petitioners claim that Lesedi failed to comply with a debt settlement agreement after missing a R27 million milestone payment, resulting in Rand Water implementing a 20% pressure reduction as part of its credit control measures.
The petition further alleges that years of poor maintenance of municipal infrastructure have worsened the situation, with pump stations and reservoirs unable to cope with the reduced water pressure. As a result, many high-lying areas have reportedly been left without running water for days, while residents say water tanker services remain inconsistent and insufficient.
Petitioners argue that the ongoing shortages are violating residents’ constitutional right to access sufficient water and basic sanitation. They are calling for the Gauteng MEC for COGTA to invoke Section 139 of the Constitution to intervene in the municipality’s financial administration, negotiate a settlement with Rand Water and safeguard ratepayer funds.
The petition also calls on the Public Protector to conduct a forensic investigation into how water revenue collected by the municipality has been spent, while requesting the Department of Water and Sanitation to deploy independent engineers to repair damaged municipal water infrastructure.
The petition follows violent protests that erupted in Ratanda on 1 July 2026 as residents demonstrated against the prolonged water shortages.
According to information shared by petition organisers, two people lost their lives and several others were injured during the unrest. Protesters also alleged that police used rubber bullets and water cannons while dispersing crowds.
Meanwhile, the Gauteng Provincial Government has appealed for calm as efforts continue to restore water supply to affected communities.
Provincial government spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said residents have a constitutional right to protest but urged them to do so peacefully.
“The Gauteng Provincial Government is appealing for calm in Ratanda, Lesedi Local Municipality. Residents are within their rights to protest but they are urged to do so peacefully,” said Mhlanga.
He added that the provincial government is working with the Department of Water and Sanitation, Rand Water and the Lesedi Local Municipality to resolve the ongoing water supply challenges.
The water crisis has left thousands of households and businesses struggling without reliable access to clean water, with residents continuing to call for urgent and lasting solutions.
