Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has sparked outrage following a media briefing yesterday, where he attempted to show that he, too, is affected by ongoing water interruptions. However, he appeared to put his foot in it when he said he has had to shower at a hotel.

Large parts of Gauteng have faced water shortages and repeated supply disruptions for weeks. The crisis has been linked to ageing and poorly maintained infrastructure, major leaks, rising demand driven by rapid urbanisation, and insufficient maintenance.

Protests have erupted in several areas.

Some reports estimate that nearly half, about 46%, of Johannesburg’s water is lost through leaks.

Lesufi has since apologised, saying he never intended for his comments to be interpreted in a way that suggested the impact of the water crisis differs depending on one’s position in society.

But critics and political parties are not letting the matter slide.

The Democratic Alliance, which has announced Helen Zille as its Johannesburg mayoral candidate for the 2026 local government elections, has moved quickly to capitalise on what it sees as a significant political misstep, also threatening to approach the courts over the crisis.

Noted with thanks, Panyaza. 🙏

If only Gauteng residents could go to a hotel and shower. 🫶

Register to #VoteDA. Put a stop to this madness: https://t.co/SzMWMxGkD8 pic.twitter.com/RkdSMgZlG2

— DA Gauteng (@DAGauteng) February 11, 2026

Spare a thought for countless parents who, each morning, must prepare their children for school and rely on public or school transport — parents who, unlike Premier @Lesufi, neither own nor have access to private vehicles that would allow them to drive to the nearest hotel simply… pic.twitter.com/gVx3cswxk9

— Tebogo Khaas (@tebogokhaas) February 12, 2026

Need I say more? @Lesufi is a joke.#GautengWaterCrisis #NoDryTaps pic.twitter.com/P0jPt4Kzfg

— Daniel Schay (@2Schay) February 12, 2026

A whole premier telling residents with his chest that luxury hotel showers is the solution for our dry taps at home. In an election year. That’s some elite level confidence. https://t.co/JAjk9UTG6W

— Ulrich Janse van Vuuren (@UlrichJvV) February 12, 2026