Monday, 2 November 2026

Johannesburg Water's operations manager says the system has not collapsed but is at a critical stage, with aging infrastructure, leaking pipes and heavy demand straining supply across the city.

The utility says more than R30 billion is needed for water infrastructure over 10 years, with accelerated investment of about R3 billion a year, and its CEO has promised some relief within three months.

Johannesburg Water says 131 reservoirs and towers across the city have been identified, with more than 40 found to be leaking, and a leaking-reservoir programme is planned as a short-to-medium term fix.

A federal judge dismissed an unusual Trump administration lawsuit that sought to block certification of Alaska's midterm results if Republican Dan Sullivan lost, calling the request unworkable.

About 2.6 million South Africans are expected to cast special votes over two days, and the IEC says officials will visit approved voters at their registered addresses and will not return if they are absent.