Joburg allocates standby teams and jetvacs as spring rains return

The City of Johannesburg has put regional standby teams, jetvac machines and excavators in place for the spring rainy season, and Mayor Dada Morero has asked residents to help prevent weather-related incidents.

Spring is the rainy season in Gauteng, and the City says its entities and departments are on the ground and ready to respond. The statement, carried by SAnews, the South African Government News Agency, sets out both the municipal plan and what households are being asked to do.

“As the Spring rains return, I ask every resident to look after the places we call home,” Morero said. “Every effort made by you to sweep and remove debris away from drains, report blockages, leaks and fallen trees or participate in neighbourhood cleanups, including helping people in distress, are little actions with a huge impact on keeping our city clean and safe.”

The mayor’s closing line was direct: “Let’s keep Johannesburg flowing in the right direction this rainy season to protect lives and property.”

What the City has put in place

According to the statement, each region has been allocated a dedicated standby team equipped with jetvac machines and excavators, ready to assist with rapid road clearing and debris removal.

Teams across all regions are actively cleaning blocked kerb inlets with jetvacs to ensure maximum water runoff. Regional teams will also desilt bridges and clear rubble, the City said, in strict adherence to environmental law requirements.

Joburg Water is responsible for maintaining water and sewer infrastructure, attending to bursts and leaks, and ensuring the continued provision of safe and reliable drinking water and sanitation services. The Johannesburg Roads Agency monitors and maintains the City’s road infrastructure, stormwater systems, bridges, culverts and drainage networks to reduce flooding risks and keep roads safe and accessible.

In the event of severe weather, the City said regional standby teams will monitor and respond to flooded areas, prioritising hazards based on their severity and the availability of resources.

City Power, together with other departments, is also on alert. The City warned that rainy and colder weather may increase electricity demand and affect restoration work because of unsafe or difficult site conditions. Customers are encouraged to reduce unnecessary electricity use while City Power teams continue attending to outages as safely and quickly as conditions allow.

The City’s Disaster Management Centre has finalised its disaster risk reduction and preparedness plans for the 2026 summer campaign. Environment and Infrastructure Services focuses on protecting the City’s natural environment by monitoring pollution, maintaining river systems and wetlands, promoting environmental awareness, and supporting clean and healthy communities. Pikitup plays a critical role in collecting waste, removing illegal dumping and keeping public spaces clean to prevent litter from entering stormwater systems and causing blockages.

What residents are being asked to do

The City has asked residents to clear litter, leaves and debris from their properties and surrounding areas after rainfall, and to dispose of waste responsibly rather than dumping rubbish into stormwater drains, streams or open spaces.

It has also asked households to stop flushing foreign objects into sewage systems. Sanitary products, wipes, toys and other solid materials can lodge in sewer pipes and cause blockages. In kitchen drains, the build-up of grease and fat over time can restrict the flow of sewage.

Blocked drains, sewer spillages, flooded roads and damaged infrastructure should be reported to the relevant City entities.

The City has asked parents and caregivers to keep children away from stagnant water, flooded areas, rivers, dams and open stormwater channels, where the risk of drowning and waterborne diseases increases significantly. It has also encouraged residents to join community clean-up initiatives that help prevent flooding and environmental pollution.

The statement is a summary of the City’s position rather than the full operational record, and does not set out the number of standby teams per region, the budget attached to the summer campaign, or the response times residents should expect. Those details are not contained in the document.

The rainy season is now under way, and the City’s next public update on the campaign is not dated in the statement.

Source: SAnews (South African Government News Agency), Call to help prevent weather-related incidents, https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/call-help-prevent-weather-related-incidents