Honourable Chairperson,
The ACDP has consistently affirmed that water is not merely a commodity but water is life and the essence of human dignity. Access to clean water is a constitutional right and together with sanitation, improves the self-worth of all individuals and their human dignity.
Last November, we welcomed the establishment of the National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency as a step towards stronger governance, but we cautioned that corruption and poor project management would continue to undermine delivery.
Water mafias should not be tolerated in this country because they frustrate all plans and projects that government attempts to implement or to provide clean drinking water to all our people. Water mafias are enemies of all South Africans and should be crushed by relevant authorities mandated to secure all infrastructure for our people.
The Department’s Vote 41 allocation for 2026/27 stands at nearly R22 billion, rising to nearly R28 billion by 2028/29, with a stated purpose of ensuring equitable access to water and sanitation services. This is a significant investment. Yet the question remains whether this investment will translate into clean water at the taps.
Recent reports paint a troubling picture. It appears that water treatment systems graded as excellent or good every year get less, and more and more systems go into a critical state. That means it is failing to adequately treat sewage before releasing sewage back into the environment.
Recent medical and environmental studies highlight how these failures directly increase child mortality, gender inequality and community vulnerability across Africa. And there’s been nearly R15 billion worth in water losses and R1.7 billion wasted in widespread irregularities. The practical consequences of these numbers erode public trust and dignity. Communities across the Free State and Northern Cape in particular face unsafe drinking water and collapsing infrastructure. Bacteria, viruses and parasites in sewage infect communities through drinking water, food preparation, bathing, and children playing near leaky pipes.
Chairperson, social media is filled with images of dry taps and sewage-polluted rivers – a reality acknowledged even during the Department’s own Fraud Awareness Week.
In terms of maintaining the system, there has been little to no evidence of any significant increase in new pipeline installations changing out old and leaking pipes, and while we commend the Department for achieving an unqualified audit opinion, this must be matched by urgent practical corrective action.
Every rand must deliver life-giving water. Not a single rand should line the pockets of corrupt criminals.
The ACDP calls for transparent reporting, consequence management and the prioritisation of maintenance over vanity projects.
Water is life; sanitation is dignity. May this budget work towards restoring both.
