“We’re Tired of Empty Promises”: Westbury Residents Take a Stand Over Water Crisis

For nearly a decade, the community of Westbury has lived with a tap that can’t be trusted. On Tuesday, frustration finally boiled over as residents took to the streets, vowing to continue protests until the City of Johannesburg provides lasting answers to their water crisis.

Eight years of dry taps

Locals say their water supply has been unreliable for the past eight years, with recent outages stretching for five consecutive days. For a working-class community already battling unemployment, crime and social neglect, the loss of something as basic as clean running water feels like the final straw.

“What’s happening in our community is bad,” says Iven Leon, a diabetic pensioner who hasn’t bathed in three days. His words reflect not just discomfort but a health risk for many who rely on water for medication, hygiene and dignity.

A community that feels forgotten

Protests erupted across the neighbourhood on Tuesday, with roads barricaded by burning tyres and rocks. For residents, it was not just about the taps running dry. It was about being heard.

Westbury has long carried the weight of neglect. From housing struggles to policing concerns, many residents feel they are constantly overlooked by city officials. The current water cuts have become a symbol of years of frustration.

“Every time we call our councillors, it’s a different story,” one resident remarked, echoing the growing sentiment that government promises are little more than words.

Bigger than Westbury

Westbury’s struggle is not isolated. Across Gauteng, water outages have been hitting homes and businesses with increasing frequency. Rand Water’s aging infrastructure, combined with high demand and mismanagement at municipal level, has left many areas vulnerable.

But in Westbury, where crime and social challenges already weigh heavily, the water crisis adds another layer of hardship. For residents, the fight is no longer about temporary fixes. It’s about reclaiming the dignity that comes with basic services.

A protest with no expiry date

For now, the message from the streets of Westbury is clear: the protests will continue. The community has had enough of dry taps and empty promises.

As pensioners, parents, and young people stand together in defiance, Westbury’s struggle has become a reminder that in South Africa’s biggest city, even the most basic right water is still something people must fight for.

Source: SABC News

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