WaterCAN questions Johannesburg Water’s finances despite City’s ringfencing pledge

By Lebone Rodah Mosima

Civil society organisation WaterCAN has raised concerns over Johannesburg Water’s financial position, alleging that the utility remains unable to meet its operational and financial obligations despite the City of Johannesburg’s commitment to ringfence water and sanitation revenue from 1 July.

The organisation said assurances that revenue generated from water services would remain with Johannesburg Water would be meaningless unless the utility had predictable and immediate access to the funds needed to pay suppliers, maintain infrastructure and keep water services operational.

“WaterCAN has learnt during a Presidential Working Group meeting that the practice of sweeping Johannesburg Water’s accounts has continued into the new financial year,” the organisation said.

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“The City has reportedly swept more than R6 billion from the utility’s bank accounts over the current term of office.”

According to WaterCAN, the transfers have effectively been