The Lesedi Local Municipality has announced a new intervention aimed at strengthening water supply across the municipality following high-level discussions with Rand Water, marking another step in efforts to stabilise services after weeks of water disruptions and community unrest.
The latest development comes after the municipality’s water crisis sparked widespread protests in Ratanda, where two residents, Sipho Chipu Motaung and Katleho Moloi, lost their lives during violent demonstrations over prolonged water outages.
The unrest also saw the torching of the Executive Mayor’s home, while police and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) continue their respective investigations.
Following the protests, Rand Water lifted the 20% water supply restriction that had been imposed on Lesedi, while the Gauteng Provincial Government committed to working with the municipality to restore stable water services.
In the latest effort to improve the situation, Municipal Manager S’busiso Dlamini, accompanied by senior municipal officials, met with Rand Water Chief Executive Officer Sipho Mosai, Chief Operating Officer and other senior representatives to discuss practical interventions to strengthen the municipality’s water supply system.
According to the municipality, the meeting formed part of ongoing efforts to escalate the challenges affecting Lesedi’s water infrastructure and secure the necessary support to improve the reliability of water supply for residents and businesses.
The engagement resulted in an agreement on an intervention designed to improve water supply across the municipality and provide relief to communities that have experienced recurring interruptions.
Municipal officials said the intervention represents an important step towards stabilising the municipal water system while Lesedi Local Municipality and Rand Water continue working together on sustainable, long-term solutions.
The municipality also welcomed what it described as Rand Water’s constructive approach, saying stronger cooperation between the two institutions is essential to addressing the pressures facing Lesedi’s water network.
Municipal Manager S’busiso Dlamini reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment to resolving the crisis.
“The municipality remains committed to pursuing solutions at every level and ensuring that the water challenges facing our communities receive the urgent attention they require,” Lesedi said in a post on their official page.
The municipality cautioned that while the intervention is expected to improve the current situation, it is not a permanent solution to Lesedi’s water challenges.
Work on long-term interventions will continue, with officials expected to monitor the implementation of the agreement and provide further updates on its impact on water supply.
Residents across Ratanda, Heidelberg, Rensburg and surrounding areas have welcomed the recent progress but continue to call for lasting solutions that will prevent future water disruptions and restore confidence in the municipality’s ability to deliver reliable basic services.
