Johannesburg Faces Water Crisis as Court Ruling Fails to Halt Controversial Tanker Contracts
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Residents of Johannesburg are increasingly reliant on water tankers as municipal water supply falters, a situation exacerbated by a controversial R263-million ($14 million USD) contract now under legal scrutiny. Despite a recent High Court ruling declaring the tender process “invalid,” the City of Johannesburg continues to utilize the contracted tankers, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
For many in South Africa’s largest city, the daily search for water has become a grim reality. While some can afford private tankers – charging as much as R1 per litre – the majority depend on the city’s tankers, often chasing them through neighborhoods hoping for a share. This reliance on tankers, once considered emergency relief, has become normalized, according to Dr. Ferrial Adam, Executive Director of the civil society group WaterCAN.
“Tanker use has become routine in many areas,” Adam told amaBhungane, highlighting the growing dependence on a temporary solution to a systemic problem. “This isn’t about occasional shortages; it’s about a fundamental failure to deliver a basic service.”
The core of the issue lies with a 2024 contract awarded to Builtpro Construction, run by Emmanuel Sserufusa, and Nutinox, run by Sibuyile Magingxa – both relatively unknown companies at the time of the award. The companies were tasked with supplying 70 water tankers to the city for a three-year period.
However, in December 2025, a rival bidder successfully challenged the tender in the Johannesburg High Court, arguing that the process had lapsed before the contract was awarded. The court agreed, deeming the contract invalid.
Despite the ruling, Johannesburg Water has continued to operate the tankers, citing ongoing legal consultations. This lack of immediate action has fueled accusations of a “dam wall of secrecy” surrounding the contracts, with critics questioning why the city hasn’t immediately sought alternative solutions.
The situation underscores a broader water crisis facing South Africa, a country classified as water-stressed. According to the Department of Water and Sanitation, South Africa is using more water than its natural resources can sustainably provide. Climate change, aging infrastructure, and rapid urbanization are all contributing factors. A 2023 report by the World Resources Institute ranks South Africa among the 33 most water-stressed countries globally.
The ongoing controversy raises questions about procurement processes within the Johannesburg municipality and the potential for corruption. The age of the company directors at the time of the award – Sserufusa at 27 and Magingxa at 29 – has also drawn scrutiny.
The City of Johannesburg has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the continued use of the tankers following the court ruling. WaterCAN is calling for a full investigation into the tender process and a transparent plan to address the city’s water infrastructure challenges.
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The situation in Johannesburg serves as a stark warning about the vulnerability of urban populations to water insecurity and the critical need for responsible water management and transparent governance.
