Court Orders Urgent Water Reconnection at Johannesburg’s Children’s Memorial Institute

Urgent Court Ruling Restores Water to Vulnerable Children’s Facility in Johannesburg

A lifeline has been thrown to 23 non-profit organisations in Parktown after the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg issued an urgent order compelling the City of Johannesburg and Johannesburg Water to restore the water supply to the Children’s Memorial Institute (CMI) within 48 hours.

This comes after the water was abruptly cut off last month, a move deemed unlawful by the court, which found that the City failed to follow due procedure under Section 62 of its own water by-laws.

The CMI, located at 13 Joubert Street, is more than just a building. It’s a safe haven that houses organisations dedicated to supporting vulnerable children, including those with disabilities, survivors of abuse, and underprivileged youth in need of psychosocial and therapeutic support.

The facility also includes the School of Autism and Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital’s laundry services, both of which fall under the jurisdiction of the Gauteng Department of Health and the Gauteng Department of Education, the entities responsible for paying municipal services for those tenants.

A Water Crisis That Crippled Care

The disconnection of water brought vital work to a grinding halt. For weeks, the NGOs, which include therapy centres, shelters, and outreach programs, struggled to operate without access to running water, placing both staff and children at risk.

Despite repeated attempts to engage the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure and Development (GDID), the registered owner of the property, and the City to resolve the billing dispute, no progress was made. In response, the CMI, supported by public interest law organisation Section27, turned to the courts for urgent relief.

Judge Calls Out Procedural Failures

Judge Mudunwazi Makamu ruled in favour of the CMI this week, instructing the City to reconnect the water supply within 48 hours and halting any further disconnections without full procedural compliance, including proper notice to all affected parties.

In their defence, Johannesburg Water and the City argued that a pre-termination notice attached to the GDID’s municipal account was sufficient. However, the court found that the lack of direct notice to the NGOs, who are lawful occupiers and service users, was a critical oversight.

A Step Forward for Justice and Dignity

As part of the court order, the GDID has been tasked with dividing the municipal service accounts among the various tenants beginning 1 August. They must also report back to the court within 14 days on the progress of this division process.

Section27’s Pearl Nicodemus welcomed the ruling, describing it as “a much-needed reprieve” that restores dignity to the affected organisations.

“The NGOs are now able to continue their vital services in a hygienic and dignified manner and can continue serving their beneficiaries with the professionalism that they deserve,” Nicodemus said.

Why It Matters

This judgment sets an important precedent: access to basic services cannot be arbitrarily cut off, especially when it threatens the rights of vulnerable communities. For now, the taps are flowing again and the work of healing and hope at the CMI can continue.

{Source: IOL}

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