By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The home of Lesedi Local Municipality Mayor Mluleki Nkosi was torched, by the angry protesters in Ratanda (Extension 23), South-East of Johannesburg.
The violence erupted as part of service delivery protest regarding a water crisis caused by the municipality failing to settle a R27 million debt with Rand Water.
As a result, Rand Water implemented a 20% reduction in bulk water supply to the municipality.
The utility was forced to act after multiple meetings and debt settlement agreements failed, sparking severe water outages and protests.
The protest action has now spread to other parts of the community with a large police contingent deployed to the area after tensions escalated. They turned deadly, with the community claiming two people were killed during clashes with police.
Community activist Bayanda Radebe alleges one of the victims was sitting outside a tavern and was not involved in the protest.
Fullview learnt that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is investigating the deaths of two people.
IPID spokesperson Lizzy Shuping said IPID is probing whether the deaths resulted from police action.
“The Ratanda matter was reported to IPID yesterday, 2 July 2026 and we have begun with our preliminary investigations, where we are looking at the alleged deaths due to police action.
“We have also been informed that the second person who was in hospital has succumbed to their injuries and we now need to allow the investigation process to take its course.”
“All the community wanted was water, but residents in Ratanda said they’re being met with rubber bullets for speaking out, added Shuping.”
Residents have been without running water for roughly three to five weeks. The crisis stems from the municipality’s inability to settle Rand Water debt.