How to Kill Jobs and Local Economies Around Dams

Statement by Dr Igor Scheurkogel MP – NCOP Spokesperson on Water and Sanitation:

The DA calls on communities to oppose new water regulations. This after the Department of Water and Sanitation’s proposed regulations for the management and control of government waterworks and surrounding state-owned land.

The draft regulations and resource management plans represent a profound shift in policy:

• from recognising the public nature of water resources to treating state dams as controlled assets that must be leased for use.
• by relegating recreational access to a discretionary privilege and imposing heavy administrative burdens on private landowners and clubs,
• the proposals threaten property rights, local businesses and community livelihoods,
• moreover, they ignore the National Water Act’s explicit recognition of recreational use and existing lawful water uses.

If passed this will have a devastating impact on jobs, tourism, and local economies that rely on access to South Africa’s dams.

The DA will therefore:

• Submit a full opposition to the regulations;
• Write to the Minister of Water and Sanitation to explain the rationale of the resource management plans, provide clarity on lease
• agreements, and request that the regulations in its current form be withdrawn; and
• Vote against the regulations in Parliament.

Proposed regulations for the management and control of government waterworks and surrounding state-owned land threaten economic lifelines for communities living beside dams across South Africa. The National Water Act (NWA) already allows people to use water for “reasonable recreational purposes” and explicitly recognises existing lawful uses. Schedule 1 emphasises that any person with lawful access may use the water surface for recreation and portage.

By contrast, the draft regulations require approvals from a “competent authority”, narrow the definition of landowners, and prohibit access except through formalised leases or access agreements. Resource Management Plans (RMPs) require every slipway, jetty and natural access point to be authorised and are now being used to expropriate access via back-door leases.

Thousands of people depend on tourism and recreation around state dams. The yellowfish angling industry on the Vaal River generates more than R133 million per season in equipment, travel, accommodation and other spending. Various Resource Management Plans highlight the potential of dams to create jobs and economic opportunities, yet the proposed regulations impose new bureaucratic layers that will harm tourism and local economies.

The Democratic Alliance supports minimising barriers to entry and reforming the regulatory environment to support small businesses, grow the economy and create jobs.

The Democratic Alliance calls on affected communities, clubs and businesses to oppose the draft regulations. The public can submit their objections before 13 April 2026 to:

Written submissions can be sent by post to: Director-General, Department of Water and Sanitation, Private Bag X313, Pretoria 0001;
Delivered by hand to: Sedibeng Building, 185 Francis Baard Street, Pretoria;
Emailed to gww@dws.gov.za and cc igors@da.org.za

Comments should insist that:

• The Resource Management Plans in its current form is against the National Water Act and should be removed from the regulations and be revised through proper public participation;
• The regulations should continue to recognise existing lawful recreational use;
• Ensure public access to government waterworks; and
• Remove additional layers of burdensome administrative requirements that will harm the economy.

South Africans are empowered when they have a job, therefore we should remove unnecessary red tape and clarify regulation where there is uncertainty. South Africa has dropped to number 84 on the World Bank’s Doing Business Index and these proposed regulations will make it harder for communities that have built their lives around these dams. The DA will continue to fight for jobs and implement strategies to grow the economy.