Empty promises and zero accountability — inside Johannesburg’s deepening water crisis
Daily Maverick | 18.06.2026 00:58
The African proverb, “A naked man cannot promise you clothes,” captures the reality confronting Johannesburg residents who continue to endure recurring water shortages despite endless assurances from political leaders that solutions are at hand. Promises have become abundant, but water remains scarce. The growing disconnect between what the City’s government says and what residents experience exposes a deeper crisis of governance, planning and accountability in South Africa’s largest metropolitan municipality.
