The community of Westbury in Johannesburg has endured over two weeks without a reliable water supply, leaving residents vulnerable as temperatures drop and fire risks rise. The situation reached a breaking point this week when a family nearly lost their home—and a loved one—to a fire that could have been contained if water had been available.
A Close Call with Tragedy
The fire, believed to have been caused by a faulty extension cord, quickly engulfed part of a family home. Desperate neighbors rushed with buckets to help douse the flames, but without running water, their efforts were severely hampered.
“I ran out and I screamed, ‘Help, please, people help us!'” recounted one resident, her voice shaking. “It was so traumatizing seeing my husband lying there—he could have caught fire, could have burnt, just because we don’t have water.”
The family narrowly escaped, but the incident has left them shaken and angry. “What if something bad happens to someone else? What if it happens to another house?” they asked. “The community is not really there—what is going to happen to the other people?”
Emergency Services Under Scrutiny
Making matters worse, emergency responders took an hour to arrive despite the Brixton Fire Station being just four kilometers away. Frustrated, the family went to the station in person, only to be met with delays and confusion.
“They don’t have fire engines available at the station currently,” the resident explained. One firefighter allegedly hesitated to respond, expressing fear of being attacked in Westbury. Emergency services have since launched an investigation into the delayed response, promising “consequences.”
No End in Sight for Water Crisis
Johannesburg Water has acknowledged the ongoing water shortages, citing “technical assessments” to restore a stable supply. However, residents say intermittent water availability—only between midnight and 3 a.m.—has done little to alleviate their suffering.
Local DA councilors have reportedly advised affected families to report the matter to the police, but residents claim they are being left in the dark with no updates.
As winter sets in and fire risks increase, Westbury’s residents remain in a dire situation, fearing the next disaster could strike at any moment—with no water to protect them.
