Checked 27 October 2026
Where the facts in this claim come from
Every fact on the claim page, with the sources we used. We save a copy of each source on the day we read it.
What does the evidence show?
Why it is Verified
Lost water is water the City bought but could not sell, so it earned no money for it. The Auditor-General says R2 billion of the loss came from leaks in the water pipes. Another R790 million came mainly from illegal connections, meters that measured wrongly and billing errors. It calls the loss material, which means big enough to matter.
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 29 May 2026.
Where to look: Slide 7, 'Other matters for the attention of users' (consolidated column): 'Material water losses of (45%) – Johannesburg Water' R2,8bn; 'R2bn relates to losses attributable to leaks on the water network infrastructure'; 'R790m was primarily due to illegal connections, metering inaccuracies and billing errors'. Slide 11 (group consolidated figures): 'Water losses (above norm) 45% (R2,8bn)'.
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 24 June 2026.
Where to look: Printed page 199 (PDF page 203), City of Johannesburg dashboard, box 'Distribution losses over administration': 'Water losses R10,30bn (4 years more than 30% norm)'. Printed page 76 (PDF page 80): '2021-22 (first year of current administration)'.
What did the council do, and when?
Who ran the council
Mayor: Dada Morero (ANC). Council run by ANC, EFF, PA, IFP. From Aug 2024 to present.
The Citizen. Published 16 August 2024.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 ('ANC regional chairperson Dada Morero has been elected as mayor of the City of Johannesburg for the second time'); paragraph 2 (189 votes to 60)
Daily Maverick. Published 28 January 2026.
Where to look: Body paragraph 9: 'The local coalition comprises the ANC, EFF, PA, IFP and several smaller parties.'
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