<\/p>\n
In a recent virtual meeting of Parliament\u2019s water and sanitation committee, the Democratic Alliance (DA) voiced strong support for Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina regarding the escalating water crisis in Gauteng.<\/p>\n
The committee emphasised that municipalities’ failure to conserve water, maintain infrastructure, and settle bulk service payments are major factors behind the province’s ongoing water challenges.<\/p>\n
Minister Majodina opened the session by acknowledging Gauteng\u2019s critical water situation, stating:<\/p>\n
\u201cGauteng\u2019s per capita water demand is, on average, 279 litres per person per day, compared to the international average of 173 litres. We said that is abnormal, and something must be done.\u201d<\/p>\n
She explained that this high demand, combined with water losses from leaks and illegal connections, has led to an alarming 49.2% non-revenue water rate in Gauteng\u2014nearly half of its treated water is lost.<\/p>\n
Annelie Lotriet, DA spokesperson on water and sanitation, expressed full agreement with the minister:<\/p>\n
\u201cWe fully agree that Gauteng municipalities must work together to address the water crisis. The current situation cannot continue; immediate, decisive action is required.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lotriet stressed the importance of municipalities improving the operation and maintenance of their infrastructure, repairing leaks, and enhancing revenue collection.<\/p>\n
Committee chairperson Leon Basson highlighted that:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reality is that municipalities are not coming to the party in playing their critical role in the water value chain.\u201d He reiterated the need for municipalities to adopt demand management strategies to curb high water consumption and engage in public education to promote water conservation.<\/p>\n
The committee also raised concerns about municipalities\u2019 failure to pay for bulk services, leaving water boards with significant debt, including more than R5 billion owed to Rand Water. The DA echoed these concerns, with Lotriet calling for greater accountability from municipalities to prevent further financial strain on water service providers.<\/p>\n
Basson stated: \u201cThe non-payment for bulk water services needs urgent attention,\u201d noting the upcoming meeting on 12 November with National Treasury and relevant departments to address this issue.<\/p>\n
Rand Water\u2019s commitment to maintaining and developing infrastructure was commended during the meeting. <\/p>\n
Basson stressed that:\u201cGauteng plays a critical role in the economic wellbeing of the country,\u201d emphasising the importance of collaborative efforts to prevent a system collapse amid growing climate change challenges.<\/p>\n
The DA\u2019s support for Minister Majodina\u2019s call to action reinforces the need for a coordinated response to Gauteng\u2019s water crisis. The party urged ANC-run municipalities to take immediate action, aligning with the recommendations made by Rand Water and the National Government.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis crisis could have been avoided if there had been the political will to fix what is broken,\u201d Lotriet stated.<\/p>\n
In light of the severity of the situation, the DA reiterated its call for an urgent debate of national importance:<\/p>\n
\u201cParliament must act to ensure that the national Water Task Team, under Deputy President Paul Mashatile, takes decisive and effective measures to hold municipalities accountable and ensure that residents\u2019 basic right to water is no longer violated,\u201d Lotriet concluded.<\/p>\n
By prioritising infrastructure improvements, raising community awareness, and addressing illegal connections, the region can work towards a more sustainable water future.<\/p>\n
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