South Africa has one of the few constitutions in the world that protects the human right to water. Yet, in 2003, Johannesburg Water began installing prepaid water meters in low-income black areas, such as Phiri and Soweto, to control and limit the flow of water to each household.

In December 2007, local residents – with the help of UUSC program partner CAWP – brought the water utility to court, charging that the prepaid water system violates their constitutional right to water and discriminates against residents on the basis of race and income.

“We hope this case will help people all across Soweto and South Africa struggling for justice,” said one activist. Indeed, the world has its eyes on this case and the struggle of local residents to advance water justice.

Learn more about the case.
Read a UUSC blog about the struggle for water justice in South Africa.