Sanitation
Failing water systems will cost R400-billion to fix, says minister
73% of water authorities in South Africa have “poor” or “critical” water systems
Chart by The Outlier. Text by GroundUp Staff.
Charts | 23 January 2026
Human Rights Commission visits school where learners use playground as a loo
Toilets are being repaired at Van Coller primary after parents shut down the school last week
Brief | 20 January 2026
Parents close Eastern Cape school where playground is used as a toilet
Toilets at the primary school in Komani have not functioned for six years
Brief | 14 January 2026
Still no public toilets at Durban bus rank
Commuters and street vendors battle as public toilets at three sites still closed for renovations
Brief | 14 January 2026
Vandals delay urgent Khayelitsha sewerage maintenance
New homes for families living above sewer pipes have been destroyed
By Vincent Lali
News | 6 January 2026
Free State residents without water while municipal officials bicker
Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality will close down its failing water supply entity
By Tladi Moloi and Sean Christie
News | 16 December 2025
Kimberley’s big hole of municipal failure
Sol Plaatje municipality’s speaker and municipal manager were recently appointed despite tainted records
Feature | 10 December 2025
Shacks fill with sewage after pipe collapses
Pipes need maintenance, but shacks on top of them are preventing access
By Vincent Lali
Brief | 4 December 2025
Waste reclaimers demand plan as Joburg’s landfills fill up
They also want to be included in the City’s solutions. But there are obstacles.
By Zanele Mji
News | 2 December 2025