RAND WATER LIFTS LESEDI SUPPLY RESTRICTION FOLLOWING DEADLY RATANDA PROTESTS
GAUTENG — Full water access is set to be restored to the Lesedi Local Municipality after Rand Water agreed to lift its 20% supply restriction. The breakthrough follows high-level interventions by Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, and Rand Water management.
The decision comes in the wake of volatile protests over water scarcity in Ratanda, which resulted in two fatalities and widespread destruction of property.
Violent Escalation and Condemnation
While provincial leadership acknowledged that the community's water grievances are legitimate, Premier Lesufi strongly condemned the violence that marred the demonstrations. During the unrest, protesters torched the private residences of Lesedi Local Municipality Executive Mayor Mluleki Nkosi and a Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC).
“While we fully respect the constitutional right of every resident to protest peacefully, there can never be any justification for violence, the destruction of property, or attacks on public representatives," Premier Lesufi stated. "Those responsible for acts of violence... will be identified, and the police will ensure they are brought to justice.”
The Premier expressed deep condolences to the families of the two individuals who lost their lives, confirming he will personally visit the bereaved families today, Sunday, 5 July 2026, to offer provincial support.
Restoring Water and Financial Stability
Executive Mayor Mluleki Nkosi assured residents that technicians are already working to stabilize the network, though he managed expectations regarding the timeline.
System Recovery: It will take a few days for water pressure to fully normalize across all affected areas.
Interim Relief: The municipality is deploying water tankers to high-density and severely affected communities in the interim.
To prevent future utility disruptions, Premier Lesufi took decisive internal action, ordering all provincial government departments and entities with outstanding debts to Lesedi Local Municipality to settle their accounts immediately. The financial injection is intended to boost the municipality's liquidity, enabling it to service its Rand Water debt and maintain essential infrastructure.
The Gauteng Provincial Government has committed to ongoing stakeholder engagements over the coming days to establish sustainable, long-term water solutions for Ratanda and its surrounding areas.
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