Minister Senzo Mchunu draws line on crime

The new water and sanitation minister, Senzo Mchunu, has sounded a tough warning against corruption and water-related crimes within his department.

The department revealed this week it is currently investigating allegations of corruption in the awarding of lucrative tenders by some of its officials, through the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).

Investigations, according to the department, had been further extended to water crimes in municipalities and mining
houses across the country’s nine provinces.

It said since 2014, the Green Scorpions, the department’s compliance, monitoring and enforcement unit, have investigated a total of 598 cases related to dysfunctional water waste treatment works, which were mainly as a result of complaints received from the public.

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According to the department, enforcement actions were taken against municipalities, which were found to have violated the water legislation.

These actions included administrative, civil and criminal offences.

“We have only embarked on legal processes as a last resort after numerous attempts to persuade and compel the municipalities to rectify their noncompliances,” said departmental spokesperson, Sputnik Ratau yesterday.

This includes the opening of five criminal cases which have been registered with the police.

Ratau added there were a recorded 152 unauthorised mines which the department was also dealing with.