Ramaphosa challenges political opponents to help tackle SA’s water crisis

President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa’s water crisis can be tackled through the same coordinated approach that helped end years of load shedding.

Responding to Democratic Alliance (DA) MP, George Michalakis, in Parliament on Tuesday, Ramaphosa defended his National Water Action Plan, saying it addresses the structural problems behind unreliable water supply and sewage pollution.

“The National Water Action Plan is based on a thorough analysis of the root causes of the water crisis at municipal level and what needs to be done to address the challenges. It identifies actions that will significantly improve water service delivery in the short term, as well as actions such as legislative and other reforms that will take longer.”

He says municipalities face major challenges, including poor revenue management, inadequate infrastructure and a lack of clear separation between government water authorities and service providers.

The President said government is also targeting corruption and criminality in the sector. 

“We are also combating corruption and criminality in the water sector, including theft of metal parts that are put for sale, scrap metal, and also dealing with the whole challenge of water tanker mafia, which we are dealing with effectively,” said Ramaphosa. 

Michalakis, however, hit back, accusing African National Congress (ANC)-run municipalities of creating a “man-made crisis” through poor administration.

He cited ongoing water shortages in parts of Johannesburg and other municipalities, arguing that communities have been left without reliable water for years.

“As we speak, the Johannesburg suburbs of Coronationville, Brixton, Westbury, Hurst Hill, Auckland Park, Melville and Parktown West, do not have water .”

Michalakis asked Ramaphosa why he allowed the ANC to govern municipalities “in such a way that we got to this point”.

The President declined to engage in the political blame game, instead calling for political parties and communities to work together to address the crisis.

“Rather than point fingers, this is the time to help us all to address the challenges that our people are facing.”

Ramaphosa says the water crisis is an “existential problem” that requires cooperation across political lines.

President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasised that the National Water Action Plan is not only about securing reliable water supply, but also about confronting criminality and corruption in the water sector.#RamaphosaQandA #7thParliament 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/hMyBdmz1UJ

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Today’s Question Paper#RamaphosaQandA pic.twitter.com/bcyokOHv7D

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