Gauteng water crisis, Tembisa hospital: Lesufi expected to respond

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi is expected to address the water crisis and corruption within government departments during his State of the Province Address on Monday. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has been urged to tell the public how he will address the water crisis and organised crime in government institutions following the looting of more than R2 billion at Tembisa Hospital. Lesufi is expected to deliver the 2026 State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Monday evening at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg.

His address takes place as the province faces a severe and escalating water crisis, as residents in various municipalities experienced intermittent supply, with some areas left without water for weeks. Opposition parties, particularly the DA, have criticised Lesufi for “empty promises” and failing to address infrastructure priorities identified in previous years. Organisations such as WaterCan have warned that parts of Johannesburg are effectively living under “Day Zero” conditions due to management and infrastructure failures. SOPA also comes amid intense criticism against Lesufi regarding a perceived lack of accountability and inaction regarding the looting at the Tembisa Hospital.