Didiza Decides That Water Access Is Not an Issue

Statement by Stephen Moore MP – DA Spokesperson on Water and Sanitation:

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, has denied a written request for an urgent Parliamentary debate on South Africa’s drinking water supply crisis. This is after the President, on 12 March in Parliament, committed to a ready action plan at the end of March 2026.

The DA cannot and will not accept that so many people live with dry taps, dirty water flow, and long-term supply breakdowns at homes and businesses.

Despite the DA’s information, which we got from the Presidency, showing that there is currently no Water Action Plan, the Speaker of the National Assembly has rejected our request for an urgent debate. The DA is of the opinion that the issue qualifies for such a debate because the President made a specific promise in Parliament, and Parliament must seek answers.

The President’s lack of action shows the ANC’s attitude to water supply in South Africa.

South Africans were promised a Water Crisis Plan to end dry taps in March, by the President. Continuous DA action has exposed that there is no ready plan to end their suffering.

Protecting the rights of South Africans and holding the Executive to account is Parliament’s foremost duty; yet the Speaker would rather have South Africans waiting for answers than have Parliament find answers via a debate.

The President has also not responded to a written question. We will be pursuing the President’s false promise to have a ready plan by March in the Executive Undertakings Committee, where the truth will come to the fore. The DA won’t hesitate to take the President to this Committee, because he made this promise and broke this promise on a Water Crisis Plan.

We will ensure South Africans receive answers on why deadlines were missed, the interventions are actually underway, and when communities will see results.

I reiterate my demand for:

1. The immediate publication of the National Water Crisis Action Plan and its current implementation status, in whatever form it may exist.
2. A clear, dated programme setting out responsibilities, funding, targets and deadlines.

Water is a constitutional right, not a communications exercise.