Lesufi Clarifies Hotel Comment As Gauteng Water Crisis Deepens

When taps run dry in Gauteng, frustration spreads quickly. From high-rise apartments in Sandton to family homes in Soweto, the inconvenience feels the same. That reality is at the centre of an apology issued by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi this week.

The Premier moved to clarify remarks he made during a recent media briefing on water shortages in the province. His reference to going to a hotel to bathe sparked debate, with some residents interpreting the comment as suggesting that water disruptions hit certain communities harder than others.

Lesufi has now acknowledged the concern.

“I regret any impression that suggested otherwise,” he said, emphasising that the water challenges facing Gauteng affect everyone.

Water Shortages Affect All Residents

In a province that serves as South Africa’s economic engine, water outages ripple far beyond inconvenience. Families struggle with daily routines. Small businesses lose trading hours. Schools and clinics must adapt at short notice.

Lesufi stressed that access to water is a basic human right, and any disruption undermines that right. According to the Premier, no resident is insulated from the impact, regardless of their social or economic standing.

It is a message that lands at a time when Gauteng’s infrastructure challenges have become a frequent headline. Ageing pipes, maintenance backlogs and increasing demand continue to strain the system. While technical repairs and reservoir work dominate official statements, residents are living the consequences in real time.

Commitment To Solving The Crisis

The Premier reaffirmed that resolving the province’s water crisis remains a top priority for the provincial government. He committed to working with municipalities, national departments and other stakeholders to address infrastructure shortcomings urgently.

Ensuring a reliable and sustainable water supply, he said, is not negotiable.

Lesufi also thanked Gauteng residents for their patience and resilience as disruptions continue. In a province that has faced rolling electricity blackouts and mounting service delivery pressures in recent years, water interruptions have added another layer of strain to daily life.

For many residents, the apology is less about a single comment and more about accountability in a province where basic services are under increasing pressure. The real test now lies in whether the promised solutions translate into taps that flow consistently across Gauteng’s cities and townships.

{Source: The South African}

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