- KwaZulu-Natal is losing 60% of its bulk water supply, putting R420 billion in economic activity at risk and leaving communities on edge.
- With water-related protests already making up more than a third of service delivery demonstrations, the crisis has become the province’s most explosive political fault line.
- Premier Thami Ntuli’s 90-day rescue plan promises rapid leak repairs, ring-fenced revenue, and expanded access for 475 unserved communities, but sceptics warn it may be too little, too late.
By Jonathan Erasmus
KwaZulu-Natal’s water economy is teetering on collapse, with an estimated 60% of its bulk purchased water being lost.
The crisis is reflected in protests, with about 35% centred on water – making it the leading issue for service delivery protests in the province.
With the local government elections just two months away, the government of provincial unity is betting on a series of interventions to flip the script in its favour
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