SA’s Water Crisis: Calls for justice

1 Views

Water scarcity in South Africa has always been a part of the country’s history. The scarcity continues to be an indication of inequality in the country. Black people and people of colour in South Africa currently hold only 1.4%of individual water use rights, while white people hold a staggering 98.6%.

After 30 years of Democracy, the South African government continues to struggle to provide all citizens with adequatewater and sanitation. This delay is rooted in poor infrastructure management, maladministration, and corruption in municipalities.

In 2024, The Citizenshowed that 1 million households in rural areas still struggle to get running water. The Deputy President finally addressed the complaints that citizens all over South Africa have regarding access to water. Deputy President Paul Mashatile said, “It should not be business as usual while rural communities suffer the most”.

Water Indaba

The Water Indaba reminded people about the importance of water security and water provision in South Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa was among many who expressed the importance of improving the quality of waterin South Africa.

As noted by Jacaranda FM,the president continued to mention that South Africa has been ranked amongst 25 other countries that experience water stress. The problems regarding water and sanitation delivery stem from many social protests.

The leading causes of the water crisis issues noted by the president at the Water Indaba are a lack of financial management, weak revenue collection, and water losses. The fewer water losses will help combat service development at the local municipal level.

Investigations and justice

The president clarified that water boards will undergo investigations linked to corruption and fraud. These investigations will take place because the water boards have failed to produce adequate water in an already water-scarce country.

The president is not the only one trying to seek justice regarding water issues in South Africa. Agri Sa shows that three judges from the Bloemfontein high courts found the Mafube Municipality at fault for failing to combat sewerage pollution, which continues to affect the Vaal and Wilge rivers.

The City of Johannesburg has made minimal progress in addressing water contamination in addressing water contamination, specifically at Klip River. Dr Ferrial Adam, the executive manager at Watercan, has filed criminal charges against the city of Johannesburg for failing to address poor water infrastructure issues at wastewater facilities.

The citizens of South Africa pay for the consequences of the Municipalities’ actions. South Africans not only fall victim to water shedding. Gauteng and the city of eThekwini continue to suffer from water shortages, so much so that South African citizens have normalised standing in the street awaiting water from a truck. The president has mentioned that waiting for water in long lines is undignified.

How this affects the public

Investigations are underway, but the damage has been done, and the citizens of South Africa will, unfortunately, have to pay for the maladministration of the government. The South African News Agency shows that the president has allocated R42.604 billion, R46.362 billion, and R45.941 billion for 2024/25, 2025/26, and 2026/27. The taxpayer’s money supports the allocation of this money to improve the water crisis in South Africa. The increased water and electricity prices in South Africa continue to affect citizens as they struggle to afford tariffs negatively. The eThekweni residents are in for more bad news as NewzroomAfrikashows the eThekwini mayor touching on how residents of eThekwini might have to pay more for water and sanitation due to a proposed tariff increase. BusinessTechshows that a tariff hike of 13.9% in water and sanitation should be expected in Joburg.