Johannesburg Water has confirmed that the persistent water leak at the intersection of Bram Fischer Drive and Jan Smuts Avenue in the Randburg CBD has been permanently repaired.
They have drawn a line under the matter that has attracted repeated attention from this newspaper, first coming to public attention after a site visit by MMC Luyiso Masuku as part of the city’s high impact service delivery programme.

Read more: The major leak on Pieter Road

Utility spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala said the repair was completed once all the specialised materials and technical resources required for the work had been secured. Despite earlier indications that a temporary solution would be put in place first, the teams were ultimately able to move directly to a permanent fix. “Johannesburg Water initially indicated that a temporary intervention would be implemented while preparations were underway for a permanent repair. However, following further technical assessments and the successful sourcing of the required materials and resources, the team was able to proceed directly with a permanent repair.”

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A deadline of late April to early May had passed without resolution. Shabalala confirmed the work was completed once all necessary resources were in place, though she did not provide a specific date. Questions had also been raised about the brief return, and subsequent withdrawal, of operational teams from the site, which left residents uncertain about progress. “The temporary withdrawal of personnel formed part of the operational process while awaiting the delivery of specialised materials and co-ordinating the necessary technical resources to ensure that the permanent repair could be executed effectively and safely.”

Also read: Taps run dry while street leak flows

Residents who had braced for a water supply interruption of up to three days will be relieved to hear that no such disruption will take place. Shabalala said the repair was carried out while the pipeline remained under pressure, leaving water supply to the area unaffected throughout. On the broader question of the delays, Shabalala attributed the prolonged timeline to the challenge of sourcing the correct materials for a fault of this complexity. “The delays in fully resolving the matter were primarily due to the procurement and sourcing of specialised materials required to undertake the permanent repair. Given the nature and complexity of the infrastructure fault, Johannesburg Water had to ensure that the appropriate materials and technical solutions were secured to guarantee a sustainable and long-term repair, rather than implementing repeated short-term interventions.”

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