Failing infrastructure, corruption 'fuel' water crisis

Speaking at the Water and Sanitation Indaba in Midrand on Thursday, the president highlighted the urgent need for accountability in municipalities and water boards.  

Ramaphosa said Gauteng and eThekwini are among the hardest-hit areas, where residents sometimes face weeks without the precious resource.   

The president pointed to mismanagement as a key driver of the crisis, with municipalities failing to reinvest water service revenue into maintenance.  

 "The World Resources Institute estimates that the biggest change in water demand between now and 2050 will occur in sub-Saharan Africa,” Ramaphosa said. 

“It ranks South Africa amongst 25 countries that are extremely water-stressed and that are currently using over 80 per cent of their water supply to meet domestic needs.

“At a global level, the climate crisis will further exacerbate not just South Africa’s but the world’s water security. 

“These factors make for what is called a perfect storm – where dry taps, broken infrastructure, and poor management of water resources at the local government level is fuelling growing public discontent. 

“Grievances with water and sanitation delivery are behind a number of social protests across the country," says Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa also revealed that multiple water boards are under investigation for corruption and fraud, warning that governance failures make an already water-scarce country even more vulnerable. 

"Governance challenges and inefficiencies at the various reporting entities, including the water boards, have long been in the public domain.

“A number of water boards have been or are the subject of probes by the Special Investigating Unit for corruption and fraud.

“These are problems impacting a country with a growing population that is one of the most water-scarce countries in the world," added Ramaphosa.

At the same time, Ramaphosa said progress has been made towards meeting the minimum standards for providing water and sanitation services and addressing connection backlogs.

"The National Infrastructure Fund has, to date, secured R23 billion for seven large water infrastructure projects. Phase 2 of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project has resumed, as has work on the uMkhomazi Dam; and preparations are underway for the construction of the Ntabelanga Dam on the uMzimvubu River.

“We have a number of other water infrastructure projects earmarked for blended financing through the Infrastructure Fund, such as the Polihali Dam that will feed 490 million cubic meters of water a year from the Lesotho Highlands into the Vaal River System. 

“Whilst these long-term water infrastructure build projects will undoubtedly mitigate current supply challenges being experienced, we are keenly aware that security of supply is by no means our only challenge.

“We are still very much a long way off from achieving clean water and sanitation for all," he warned. 

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