The revised treaty between South Africa and eSwatini on development and utilisation of water resources of Komati River Basin was signed on March 13. The minister of water and sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, met her Liswati counterpart, Prince Lonkhokhela Dlamini in eSwatini.

According to a joint statement, the ministers emphasised the need to strengthen bilateral co-operation through the Joint Water Commission (JWC) Agreement and the treaty on the development and utilisation of water resources of the Komati Basin, both signed in 1992.

The commission acts as a technical advisor to the parties on all technical matters relating to the development and utilisation of water resources of common interest.

Treaty also provided for the establishment of the Komati Basin Water Authority (Kobwa), which is a bi-national entity formed in 1993. The core functions of Kobwa were to raise finance (through loans), design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the two dams – Maguga in eSwatini and Driekoppies in Nkomazi Local Municipality.

The treaty stipulated the equitable water allocations between the two countries and a formula for sharing the costs of construction of the two dams as well as operation and maintenance of the dams and the system post construction phase.

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With the introduction of many legislative changes in both countries and the environment in which Kobwa operates and commitments to international principles on transboundary co-operation between member states, among others, necessitated the two countries to review the treaty.

The revision was to broaden the Kobwa’s mandate to complement the two governments’ efforts in provision of water services to their citizens and creating ways to generate revenue that could eventually support its operational expenses.

The ministers highlighted the importance of complying with the minimum cross-boarder flows at the Ressano Garcia gauging station in Mozambique and further encouraged Kobwa and the Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Management Agency to work together towards ensuring the 2.6m³ per second is achieved as prescribed in the Incomati-Maputo agreement.

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The ministers further committed their support to the Incomati-Maputo Water Commission as the new institution established to promote co-operation among the three countries to ensure the development, protection, and sustainable utilisation of water resources shared by the member states.

A decision was taken that the JWC should meet annually to share updates and discuss progress on the work of the commission.