Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane would on Thursday meet with the board, CEO and senior officials of State-owned water utility Rand Water for a full status report on water interruptions in Gauteng.

Rand Water COO Sipho Mosai earlier this week explained that the water shortages, which first started in the west of Johannesburg on September 15, were caused by power outages, which coincided with the expected increase in water demand as the season changed from winter to spring.

Ageing infrastructure and vandalism were also said to have contributed to the problem.

At the meeting, which would also be attended by the acting director-general of the Department of Water and Sanitation and other senior departmental officials, Rand Water would brief the Minister comprehensively on progress made to resolve the ongoing problem and to chart the way forward.

By Thursday afternoon, authorities said water had been restored to most of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni.

Only two suburbs in Johannesburg – South Hills and Rabie Ridge – and two in Ekurhuleni – Bedfordview and Primrose – were still without water.