Dear Editor
The DA will seek answers from Deputy President Paul Mashatile during the question session on Thursday on his progress to lead and Chair the Water Task Team, after serious delays and water maintenance issues have been disclosed to Parliament by the Auditor General this week.
Presentations from the Auditor-General, Statistics South Africa and the Department make clear that during the 2023/24 financial year:
- 7 of 9 bulk water projects to build dams for South Africans, in both planning and construction phases are delayed,
- Nearly a third of maintenance targets have not been met, and
- The Water Department will miss the UN SDG deadline of universal access to water and sanitation, as 2 million households remain without piped water.
Based on presentations before Committee, the only measure that has been assisting with moving water projects along is Operation Vulindela, which is inadequate.
The Task Team is meant to help the Department of Water and Sanitation to improve leadership and oversight responsibilities.
While current water shortages in our communities are largely municipal failure – local governments cannot be held to account when the Water Task Team and Department are not fulfilling their end of the bargain.
South Africans deserve far better than this. Adequate water and sanitation is a right and not a privilege, which the DA will defend.
Regards
Stephen Moore MP
DA Deputy Spokesperson on Water & Sanitation