Johannesburg Water spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala has explained that entity officials were unable to attend a meeting with Ward 99 residents due to co-ordination and notice-related challenges.

The meeting was organised by the Ward 99 councillor and was intended for residents to engage and ask questions related to outages and the Linden 1 and 2 reservoirs. Residents attended the meeting, but the officials did not show up.

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Shabalala said engaging with residents, community structures and other stakeholder groups forms an important part of the entity’s mandate.

“The entity regularly participates in public and community engagements to listen to concerns, provide information, and respond to matters relating to water and sanitation services,” she said.

She explained that the meeting in Blairgowrie was arranged at short notice and without the necessary co-ordination through ward governance.

“The meeting notice had already been issued to residents before Johannesburg Water officials had been consulted and their availability confirmed.”

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She added that once ward governance was made aware of the request, Johannesburg Water indicated that it would be preferable for the engagement to be rescheduled to allow the relevant officials to properly prepare and participate.

“This is particularly important because community meetings often require representation from various Johannesburg Water departments to ensure that residents receive comprehensive and accurate information on the issues being raised.”

Johannesburg Water remains committed to attending public meetings, as it has done previously, provided officials are given reasonable notice and proper co-ordination takes place.

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