Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read
11 June 2025 | 10:45 CAT

A mother and child have died in a fire in Mayfair West, Johannesburg. (Photo: Gallo Images / Papi Morake – Daily Maverick)

“It’s completely horrible because they don’t seem to understand that people’s lives are on the line.”

This stark warning by WaterCAN’s Dr. Ferrial Adam follows a devastating fire that claimed the lives of a mother and her daughter in Mayfair West, Johannesburg. The tragedy has once again exposed the dire consequences of Johannesburg’s ongoing water crisis.

The fire, which broke out in a five-bedroom home, left four others—including two young children—hospitalised with burns and smoke inhalation. Neighbours desperately attempted to help, but their efforts were hampered by a chillingly familiar problem: dry taps.

“We’ve been saying this is going to happen,” said Dr. Adam. “Water outages are not new. People in large parts of Joburg, including Mayfair West, have had little or no water for weeks or even months.”

The Mayfair West area falls under the Hursthill 2 reservoir, one of several reservoirs where Johannesburg Water has implemented nightly throttling. This means water is deliberately restricted or completely shut off overnight in a bid to refill the reservoirs for daytime supply. But for emergencies, like the 2 a.m. fire in Mayfair West, this leaves residents helpless.

“This is not just about water,” Dr. Adam explained. “It’s about health, food, fire safety, and dignity. It’s a service delivery crisis.”

The infrastructure, she said, is collapsing. At least 43 reservoirs are leaking and burst pipes are frequent. While Johannesburg Water is blamed, the real issue is underfunding. “The City of Joburg holds the purse strings. They know the problem but won’t increase the budget. Then they blame Johannesburg Water.”

Recent announcements that five reservoirs have been earmarked for repair offer some hope. However, Dr. Adam cautioned, “There is no short-term solution. We’re looking at 12 to 18 months before real improvements—if all goes according to plan.”

In the meantime, elderly residents are paying youths to fetch water, children go to school without sanitation, and communities mourn lives lost not just to fire, but to failed governance.

“It’s time for residents to raise their voices,” urged Dr. Adam. “In mosques, in churches, in schools—this is a crisis that touches everyone.”

“No water in the tap when a fire breaks out—what kind of city is that?”

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round-Up with Moulana Habib Bobat and Dr Ferrial Adam.