16 July 2025, Johannesburg – SECTION27, representing the Children’s Memorial Institute (CMI), reached a settlement with Johannesburg Water and the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality (the City) to reconnect the water supply to the property situated at 13 Joubert Street, Parktown. CMI is occupied by 23 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating on the property. These NGOs support the most vulnerable members of our society through psychosocial programs for underprivileged children, rehabilitative therapy and counselling for children, including those living with disabilities, and a home of safety for abused children.
On 14 June 2025, the City of Johannesburg and Johannesburg Water disconnected the water supply to the building without following the procedural requirements in terms of section 62 of the City’s by-law.
The Gauteng Department of Infrastructure and Development (GDID) is the registered owner of the property. The School of Autism, a public school, and Charlotte Maxeke’s laundry services, which occupy the majority of the building, also operate as tenants on the property. Responsibility for the payment of basic municipal for both the School of Autism and the laundry services lies with the Gauteng Department of Health and the Gauteng Department of Education. The 23 NGOs based on the property have been adversely affected by the disconnection of water services. Despite efforts to resolve the matter with the GDID and the City, no resolution was reached. As a result, on 8 July 2025, the CMI approached the High Court in Johannesburg for urgent relief, seeking an order for immediate restoration of the water supply and that the City and Johannesburg Water refrain from termination of water services until the proper processes have been completed.
In their response, the City and Johannesburg Water argued that the pre-termination notice attached to the owner’s account statement is sufficient to trigger the termination of services. These notices were issued to the owner, the GDID. However, the NGOs received no such notice and, as a result, were adversely impacted by the disconnection. The City’s conduct is contrary to their City By-laws.
On 15 July 2025, Judge Makamu granted an order directing the City to restore the water supply within 48 hours and instructed the parties to engage in the settlement and debasement of accounts. Finally, the GDID, as the owner of the property, was ordered to facilitate the division of accounts for services commencing 1 August 2025. The GDID is also ordered to report to the court on the facilitation process of the division of the account within 14 days of the court order.
SECTION27 and the CMI welcome the order. The water restoration brings much-needed reprieve to 23 NGOs who have experienced severe challenges without a water supply. The NGOs are now able to continue their vital services in a hygienic and dignified manner and can continue serving their beneficiaries with the professionalism that they deserve.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Pearl Nicodemus | nicodemus@section27.org.za | 082 298 2636
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