Department of Water and Sanitation Q4 2024/25 Performance; with Deputy Minister

Video The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation met to receive a briefing from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) on its cumulative Fourth Quarter Expenditure and Performance Report for the 2025/26 financial year. The Department reported on its cumulative financial and non-financial performance, implementation of its financial management turnaround plan, institutional reforms, progress on major water infrastructure projects and expenditure of 97.9% of its annual budget. Members welcomed the improvement in financial performance but expressed concern about declining non-financial performance, particularly in Programme 3: Water Services Management. They questioned the disparity between expenditure and performance, delays affecting RBIG and WSIG projects, municipal debt, implementation of the risk management plan, reporting inconsistencies, contractor performance, procurement delays, municipal capacity, the Madibeng Bulk Water Project, the Giyani Water Project, North West RBIG projects, the Budget Facility for Infrastructure process and the recently announced R12.5 billion water infrastructure allocation. The Department attributed project delays to procurement processes, contractor underperformance, funding constraints, municipal capacity limitations, land access challenges, community disruptions and adverse site conditions. It outlined measures to improve implementation through procurement reforms, increased use of water boards and other implementing agents, and provided updates on the Giyani Water Project, Madibeng Bulk Water Project, Ntabelanga Dam, municipal debt recovery and Budget Facility for Infrastructure applications. The Committee requested written reports on debtor days, the Madibeng Bulk Water Project and outstanding infrastructure projects. The Department undertook to provide the requested reports and circulate the detailed project booklet previously presented to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). The Chairperson advised that Members could submit technical questions through the Committee Secretary and noted that the Committee could be recalled during the constituency period if necessary before adjourning the meeting.