Engagement with Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Delegation; Committee Report on DWS Q2 and 3 2024/25 Performance & Water Boards

Video The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation engaged with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) delegation. The CPA delegation, led by Lord Syed S Kamall and Dr Brian Mathew, emphasised the critical importance of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), highlighting similarities between South Africa's and the UK's water challenges, including droughts and ageing infrastructure. They noted past South African water initiatives but expressed interest in understanding current strategies addressing water access. Committee Members responded by underscoring South Africa's constitutional guarantee of water access as a basic human right, while acknowledging the legacy of apartheid's spatial inequalities and ongoing infrastructure and resource challenges. Water access has improved to 89% despite population growth, yet issues like non-revenue water losses, ageing infrastructure, corruption, and poor municipal management persist. Members highlighted the R25 billion debt owed by municipalities to water boards and introduced mechanisms for recovering those funds. They raised concerns about pollution from failing wastewater plants, water scarcity in Gauteng, and the disruptive influence of “tanker mafia” groups that sabotage infrastructure for profit. The CPA delegation appreciated the openness in discussing challenges, drawing parallels with UK and Scottish water management struggles, including privatisation debates, infrastructure leaks, and balancing public accountability with financial sustainability. Delegates raised proposals such as adjusting free basic water allocations and legislative reforms to increase water company accountability. The Committee also reviewed its 2nd and 3rd quarter performance report for the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), highlighting detailed expenditure and departmental progress. Although most Committee Members supported the report’s adoption, MKP, Action SA, and EFF requested the report be debated fully in the House due to concerns and proposed amendments. The Committee also examined the Annual Reports of Water Boards for 2023/2024, covering legislative frameworks, performance improvements, and financial data. Key concerns included municipal water debts, irregular expenditure, and operational challenges faced. Legislative reforms to separate water authorities and providers through licensing were noted, along with requests for updates on governance and infrastructure delays. Members debated the report's status, with some requesting it be presented for House consideration.