Support sought for struggling municipalities

• Published date: 19 May 2022
• Publication title: South African Official News

Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister, Dikeledi Magadzi, says municipalities that are failing to deliver basic water and sanitation services, and adhere to the national norms and standards, need to be assisted.

Tabling the department's 2022/23 budget vote in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Wednesday, Magadzi said the distribution of water and sanitation services is the direct responsibility of municipalities.

However, Magadzi acknowledged that this is proving to be a great challenge, and the department remains ultimately responsible for water availability and security.

She said during the ministerial working sessions, where the department travelled around South Africa over the last nine months, they have seen first-hand the state of municipal water and sanitation services.

'In many areas, we met people who are still waiting to get potable water supply. We have seen many municipalities, where projects run into the 10th year with distribution pipes installed, but there is no water in the taps, or water coming out of the taps is not drinkable.

'In some areas, women and children are still walking to the nearest streams where the water is not safe to drink, and risk being attacked by crocodiles and criminals while trying to source water,' Magadzi said.

On pollution, spillages and sewer running onto the streets and ultimately into people's houses, Magadzi said the ministry is prioritising the matter and it is moving from province to province to work with municipalities or intervene through Section 63(2) of the Water Services Act, 1997, to assist.

While the Constitution gives the responsibility for providing water and sanitation services to municipalities, the Deputy Minister stressed that it also requires national government support for municipalities and intervention where there is failure.

'As we strengthen our support and intervention role at municipal level, we will not neglect our core responsibilities of developing national water resources, and we are paying close attention to accelerating the planning and implementation of key water resource augmentation projects around the country,' Magadzi said.

The department will continue to support municipalities to develop and refurbish...