Newsroom
The Latest on Joburg’s Crisis & the Fight to Fix It
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.
Ethical Leadership? CoJ does not get it …. or, does not care!
The Joburg Crisis Alliance (JCA) is critical of the City of Johannesburg's (CoJ) leadership, citing a disregard for ethical and competent governance. The JCA's convenor, Neeshan Balton, questions how the public can trust the city when it repeatedly demonstrates this lack of regard for ethical leadership. One of the JCA's five main campaigns is to ensure ethical and competent leadership. The JCA has voiced concerns about several appointments and actions:
Johannesburg City Library Fully Reopens Thanks to Civil Society Action
The Johannesburg Heritage Foundation (JHF) and Joburg Crisis Alliance (JCA) welcomes the full reopening of the Johannesburg City Library (JCL) after years of closure and civic advocacy. A public ceremony will be held on Saturday, 9 August 2025. While this is a major win, the continued closure of several branch libraries remains a concern. The JHF and JCA remain committed to promoting access and accountability in Johannesburg’s public services.
THE JOBURG CRISIS ALLIANCE CALLS FOR TRANSPARENCY ON MARKS PARK
The Joburg Crisis Alliance is calling for full transparency from the City of Johannesburg regarding its plans for Marks Park and surrounding public spaces. Amid growing public concern, the Alliance warns that meaningful participation is impossible without clear information on which areas are being considered for redevelopment and what the implications are for community and environmental interests.
Motions of No-Confidence and systemic flaws.
The Joburg Crisis Alliance notes with deep concern the ongoing governance instability in the City of Johannesburg. As residents continue to grapple with deteriorating services, political infighting, and recurring motions of no confidence, the city’s leadership crisis has become a threat to democratic accountability and public trust.
Joburg Region-F leads the way in Regional civic organisation
The Region F-Civil Society Dialogue brought together diverse communities to tackle urgent service delivery and governance failures. Through collective action and honest dialogue, residents developed a clear plan to demand accountability, improve coordination, and restore dignity in their neighbourhoods.