Mboweni announces measures to deal with Vaal, Giyani water crises

Mboweni tabled his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement in the National Assembly on Wednesday.

Earlier in the year, environmental activists raised concerns over sewerage spilling into the Vaal River.

In September, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) held a commission of inquiry to get to the bottom of the crisis. 

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In his mini-budget, Mboweni said the immediate focus is for his department to mobilise short-term financing. 

"By reprioritising funds and increasing capacity," said Mboweni. 

Mboweni has also received approval for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to intervene.  

"To assist us immediately with engineering works and other expertise to resolve the crises in the Vaal water system." 

Mboweni described the collapsed Giyani water project as plagued with malfeasance. 

"It is a cesspool of corruption. The challenges raise from a complete this disregard of supply chain rules, to poor contract management resulting in irregular expenditure." 

Mboweni believes the country needs to develop a new financing and delivery model to deliver water to communities in the country.

"A new key element to the new approach will be a stronger focus on project management and contract governance." 

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