What in the World How gangs are taking advantage of South Africa’s water crisis
Mar 24, 2026
Mayeni Jones, BBC Africa correspondent reporting from Johannesburg, gives on-the-ground analysis of South Africa’s worsening water shortages and alleged 'water mafias'. She outlines how aging infrastructure and climate change strain supplies. She describes water tankers, accusations of theft and collusion, and how shortages hit daily life and deepen inequality.
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Cities Depend On Faraway Water Infrastructure
- South African cities like Johannesburg rely on water piped from distant rivers and dams because they aren't located near major water sources.
- This long-distance pipeline and pump system is expensive to build and maintain, creating vulnerability when infrastructure ages or fails.
Old Pipes And Climate Together Create Shortages
- Aging, poorly maintained pipes and rising droughts from climate change are the main causes of shortages, not just lack of rainfall.
- Broken pumps and old infrastructure force reliance on emergency measures like water tankers that are costly and unsustainable.
Young Freelancer Story Of Lost Income And Illness
- Young people describe days or weeks without water that halt work, force buying bottled water, and cause illness when supplies briefly return.
- A freelancer said outages stopped her income, raised expenses, and gave recurring diarrhea after reconnections.