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South Africans say criminal gangs are exploiting water crisis | BBC News
Posted
March 19, 2026
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March 19, 2026
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2:23Now PlayingAreas of South Africa, including Johannesburg, have experienced intermittent water shortages, with some having had no running water for a month.
The residents of the township of Hammanskraal, 100km (60 miles) north of the city, have not had reliable access to clean water for over a decade, on and off.
The municipality has resorted to paying for tankers to deliver drinking water to residents. The local opposition Democratic Alliance has accused criminal syndicates known as water mafias of monopolising the water tanker industry – but didn't provide any evidence to the BBC that this was happening.
Last year, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa urged law enforcement and local governments to put an end to criminal gangs running tankers.
In February's State of the Nation Address, he said that a National Water Crisis Committee would be established to ensure a co-ordinated response to the water crisis.
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