Ramaphosa blames municipal failures for South Africa’s water crisis

President Cyril Ramaphosa says deep structural problems at the municipal level are at the heart of South Africa’s water crisis, with government drawing on lessons from its response to the electricity crisis to improve water services.

Responding to parliamentary questions, Ramaphosa said the National Water Action Plan was developed as a coordinated response to the country’s water challenges, following the approach used in the Energy Action Plan.

“We have taken the same approach of focused, coordinated actions into developing the National Water Action Plan,” Ramaphosa said.

The plan is overseen by the National Water Crisis Committee and was developed in consultation with municipalities, water boards and relevant government departments. It focuses on both immediate interventions and longer-term reforms.

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“It identifies actions that will significantly improve water service delivery in the short-term as well as actions – such as legislative and other reforms – that will take longer,” he said.

Ramaphosa identified several municipal challenges, including the failure to ring-fence revenue generated from water sales and reinvest it into water services. He also pointed to inadequate separation between water services authorities and providers.

Government is increasing support to struggling municipalities, expanding access in unserved communities and completing delayed water projects.

“We are increasing support to struggling municipalities and strengthening interventions in poorly performing municipalities in terms of existing legislation,” Ramaphosa said.

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Government is also targeting corruption and criminality affecting water infrastructure, including the theft of metal components and the so-called water tanker mafia.

“We are also combating corruption and criminality in the water sector, including theft of metal parts for sale as scrap metal and the water tanker mafia,” he said.

Ramaphosa expressed confidence that the National Water Action Plan would help restore reliable water supplies and address sewage pollution.

“Through the progress we are making, we are confident that the implementation of the National Water Action Plan will result in the resolution of the water crisis, both in terms of restoring reliable water to deprived communities and eradicating sewage pollution,” he said.

The plan forms part of Operation Vulindlela, the reform programme coordinated by the Presidency.

Ramaphosa also highlighted the need to strengthen municipalities through improved leadership, administration, oversight and accountability.

“The strengthening of municipalities is an important priority of this administration,” he said.

Government is working to build a more capable and professional local government system while providing targeted support to municipalities facing severe governance and service delivery challenges.

Ramaphosa said a review of the White Paper on Local Government was also nearing completion, with proposed reforms aimed at creating stable, capable and accountable municipalities.

“These reforms are directed towards building stable, capable and accountable municipalities that can deliver reliable basic services.

“They are directed towards restoring public confidence in local government and creating an enabling environment for inclusive economic growth and sustainable job creation,” he said.