Newsroom
The Latest on Joburg’s Crisis & the Fight to Fix It
Plans Archive Chaos. Have you experienced difficulties accessing plans and records? Send us your comments.
The Johannesburg Crisis Alliance and Johannesburg Heritage Foundation warn that the prolonged closure of the Metro Centre has left critical building records inaccessible, disrupting development and property transactions. They argue the City’s lack of transparency and action reflects a serious failure of governance.
Public Participation Key to Fixing Johannesburg, Says JCA
The Joburg Crisis Alliance has called on residents across Johannesburg to actively participate in the City’s IDP and Budget process.
Library Left Behind: Ennerdale Residents Demand Action on Delays
Despite assurances that the Louisa Prince Library would reopen by June 2026, current progress reveals a project plagued by substandard work, safety non-compliance, and broken promises to the community.
Governance Failures Mount as JCA Calls Summit-9
Johannesburg faces a deepening governance crisis marked by instability, financial opacity, and service delivery failures. The JCA’s 9th Summit will unite civil society to demand accountability while highlighting the resilience of communities ahead of the 2026 elections.
Rebuilding Libraries, Restoring Access: Joburg’s Unfinished Work
As South Africa marked National Libraries Week (17–23 March), the reopening of the Johannesburg City Library was rightly celebrated as a long-overdue victory. After nearly five years of closure, its doors are once again open to students, researchers, and residents who depend on it. But behind this milestone lies a deeper and more uncomfortable truth: access to libraries in Johannesburg remains unequal.
JCA Condemns Mass Shooting in Eldorado Park
The Joburg Crisis Alliance has condemned the Eldorado Park mass shooting that left two people dead and six injured, warning that gang-related violence continues to threaten communities across Johannesburg. The organisation has called for urgent action from law enforcement and the City to restore safety and bring those responsible to justice.
Ormonde Tragedy a Wake-Up Call for Joburg’s Broken Planning System
The Ormonde building collapse that claimed nine lives has raised urgent questions about the safety of buildings across Johannesburg. The tragedy highlights serious failures in oversight and planning, and calls for immediate action to prevent further disasters.
JCA calls to reverse Councillor and Executive Management Salary Increases to fund service delivery crises
Johannesburg is facing severe financial strain — yet councillors have approved salary increases for themselves while withdrawing a critical Adjustment Budget at the last minute. With the City owing billions in outstanding staff payments, struggling entities like Joburg Water short of funds, and City Power mired in instability, these decisions signal a troubling lack of urgency and accountability.
Political Parties Must Release Their Plans and Put Forward Credible Leaders for Johannesburg – Sooner Rather Than later.
Johannesburg stands at a critical crossroads. As political parties announce their mayoral candidates, residents must demand more than promises—they must demand credible plans and capable leadership.
The People Have Spoken. The President Has Listened. Now We Need Action.
Johannesburg’s water crisis is not simply about scarcity — it is a governance failure. Years of political instability, weak leadership, and neglected infrastructure have left residents without reliable access to a basic human need. While President Cyril Ramaphosa has now stepped in to lead a national Water Crisis Committee, this must not become another structure without consequences.
Water Crisis Spirals as Johannesburg Residents Endure Weeks Without Water
Johannesburg is effectively living under Day Zero conditions. Prolonged water outages lasting days—and in some cases nearly three weeks—have stripped communities of reliable access to water, undermined dignity, and fuelled conflict at tanker points
Budgets, Reports and New Posts — But Where Is Accountability?
The City of Johannesburg continues to publish reports and revise structures, yet accountability remains elusive. Transparency without enforcement will not repair a city in crisis.
The leadership of Joburg have failed the residents
The City has been immobilised by leadership obsessed with factional battles and short-term alliances to survive, while residents are grappling daily with failing infrastructure, unreliable services, unsafe communities and a collapsing local economy. Residents deserve leaders who put the city first.
Civil Society Mobilises for JCA Summit-8 Amid Unmet City Commitments
The Joburg Crisis Alliance (JCA) will host its 8th Summit on Saturday, 6 December 2025. The Summit will reflect on the year’s developments and chart the course for 2026, a pivotal year marked by the upcoming local government elections. Delegates will also explore the concept of a ‘City Charter’ aimed at rebuilding trust, accountability and shared civic purpose across Johannesburg.
Joburg Unites Under the Call – “No Water, No Vote”
The Joburg Crisis Alliance (JCA) led a united protest at the Metro Centre on 1 November 2025, highlighting Johannesburg’s severe water crisis and the failure of the City to properly manage its water infrastructure and finances. Civil society organisations, including WaterCAN, JoburgCAN, CADE and the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, presented key demands to the Mayor, such as ring-fencing water funds, implementing the Water Turnaround Strategy, and investigating tanker contracts. Mayor Dada Morero accepted the memorandum and acknowledged the role of civil society in holding government accountable. The JCA will now monitor water supply conditions and expects a clear action plan with timelines; otherwise, it will intensify its accountability campaign in 2026.
Extended Hours, Extended Opportunity: JCA Pushes for Full Weekend Access
The Joburg Crisis Alliance (JCA) welcomes the City of Joburg's announcement to extend library hours in selected areas, allowing students to use these libraries on Saturdays and Sundays to prepare for exams. This confirms that the opening of community libraries on weekends is possible. The JCA calls on the City to accelerate consultations with labour unions to ensure that all libraries can open during weekends, with fair compensation for staff. Community libraries are vital hubs for learning, inclusion, and civic engagement — bridging information gaps, promoting equality, and providing safe spaces for citizens to connect, learn, and grow
Joburg Crisis Alliance Demands Transparency and Accountability from City Leadership
The Joburg Crisis Alliance calls for full transparency in the City of Johannesburg’s coalition agreements and demands an independent performance assessment system for all MMCs. This follows calls by the Minority Governing Parties (MGP) Coalition to remove the MMC for Community Development.
Dry Taps, Empty Promises: Joburg Communities Demand Accountability in Water Crisis
Johannesburg’s water crisis has reached breaking point. Communities in Claremont, Westbury, and Coronationville remain without water despite the Mayor’s seven-day promise. With R4 billion diverted from Johannesburg Water, residents are left to suffer while leaders roll out the red carpet for G20 dignitaries. Enough is enough—Johannesburg needs accountability, leadership, and urgent action.
No Water, No Trust: Crisis Alliance Demands Accountability
Joburg residents are tired of empty taps and broken promises. The Mayor has seven days to restore water—or step down. Communities are watching, waiting, and still thirsty.
Joburg Crisis Alliance to Host 7th Summit Amid Ongoing Water Crisis
The Joburg Crisis Alliance (JCA) will host its 7th Summit on Saturday, 30 August 2025, bringing together residents, civil society, and stakeholders to address Johannesburg’s mounting challenges.