19 Jan 2018 | 09:01 AM UTC
South Africa: Water shortage protest in Cape Town Jan. 21 /update 3
Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) plans protest outside City Council offices in Cape Town on January 21 in response to government’s management of water crisis
Event
On Thursday, January 18, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) announced that it will hold a protest on Sunday, January 21, from 15:00 to 16:00 (local time) to denounce the municipal government’s handling of the ongoing water crisis. The demonstration will take place outside the City Council offices in Cape Town, Western Cape, in response to the government’s plan to raise taxes to combat the ongoing water shortage, among other related grievances. An increased security presence and localized transportation disruptions are likely in the vicinity of the protest. While the event is intended to be peaceful, clashes between demonstrators and security personnel cannot be ruled out.
Context
Cape Town is currently facing its worst water shortage of the past 113 years. The city may run out of water for municipal use as soon as this April due to an ongoing drought, with revised forecasts indicating the city may reach "Day Zero" as soon as April 21 or 22. On “Day Zero,” municipal water supplies will be turned off for all but essential services. Current restrictions have already reduced water usage to 87 liters (23 gallons) per day and long lines have been reported at over 200 designated water collection sites across the city. Water restrictions have been in place in Cape Town since 2005, but have become increasingly strict since December 2015. Authorities are also on guard against an increased risk of wildfires in the region due to the ongoing drought.
Advice
All those present in South Africa are advised to avoid all protests (even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent with little warning) and to anticipate a heightened security presence and localized transportation disruptions surrounding public gatherings.
Individuals in Cape Town and other drought-stricken areas are advised to conserve water, stock up on bottled water, keep abreast of the situation via local media outlets, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities (e.g. water rationing measures, details available here).
