By Palesa Matlala
· A local businessman says he fears for his life after sharing water from his private borehole, blaming a dangerous “water mafia” in the area.
· Rand Water slashed supply to Merafong due to R1.4-billion debt, leaving Kokosi and Fochville’s high-lying homes without running water.
For over a month, people in Kokosi Township, Fochville near Carletonville, have had no water running from their taps.
The problem started when Rand Water cut supply to Merafong municipality over a R1.4-billion debt.
Now, desperate residents rely on a local businessman who is secretly helping them with water from his JoJo tanks.
“I’m scared for my life,” he said. “There’s a water mafia and I could be in danger for helping people. But I can’t say no when someone needs water.”
He said he first installed the borehole for his tavern after the toilets became unusable due to the water crisis.
Residents blame the municipality for failing them.
Boitumelo Leru told Scrolla.Africa that water trucks from the municipality don’t come every day, and when they do, the water runs out quickly.
“Our toilets are unbearable,” she said. “We were never told about the water cuts. The government doesn’t care about us.”
When Scrolla.Africa visited the area, residents were seen pushing wheelbarrows full of 5-litre and 20-litre buckets of water fetched from the JoJo tank.
Merafong’s water crisis is tied to its massive debt to Rand Water. Since 2024, the utility has been reducing supply to collect what it is owed.
In June, the Johannesburg High Court gave Merafong 30 days to respond, but the municipality missed the deadline.
Its late submission showed little sign that it would pay, so Rand Water imposed a 20% cut, following a previous 20% cut earlier in 2025.
Municipal spokesperson Thabo Moloja said Kokosi and parts of Fochville are high-lying areas, and reduced water pressure cannot reach them.
“At least ten water trucks are sent out daily,” said Moloja, “but hospitals, schools and clinics are prioritised.”
He added that the municipality is asking the provincial government for help to increase the number of trucks.
Pictured above: Kokosi residents collect water in buckets and wheelbarrows from a local JoJo tank.
Image source: Palesa Matlala
