Patients at the Malvern Clinic in east Johannesburg have yet again suffered from low water supply despite promises last year that the Jojo tank would be connected to the internal pipes.
I first raised this issue in July 2025 after the clinic had been without water for six weeks.
The council responded that repairs would be done in the 2025/26 financial year, including the connection of the water tank which would assist when water in the area runs low.
Staff at the clinic have done their best this week to assist patients despite the toilets being closed, which adds to the infection risk. They must use buckets to access the water in the outside tank.
It is inexplicable that a simple connection to connect the tank with water pipes has taken so long (see photo here).
Continual water failures across Johannesburg makes life difficult for patients and staff at health facilities.
The DA will continue to push for water resilience measures at hospitals and clinics. Hygiene at medical facilities should never be compromised by a lack of water.
Getting rid of the ANC’s deployed cadres and putting in competent people would ensure that vital upgrades are done speedily. This can be done!