JOHANNESBURG - Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina says illegal mining is driving most of Gauteng’s water problems.
Majodina says her department is engaging with the mining sector to develop solutions.
“We know the area of West Rand, most of their woes come from illegal miners who use a lot of water. We’re going to develop a clear programme on how to close those water pipelines that go through the mines that are no longer productive,” she said.
Infrastructure failures and poor maintenance have plunged large parts of the province into a water crisis.
In the City of Johannesburg, some communities have been battling with dry taps and inconsistent water supply for weeks now.
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Most residents are relying on water tankers.
Meanwhile, Majodina says there is no need for a national disaster declaration on the water crisis.
She says most reservoirs have stabilised.
However, Majodina admits there are problems in some areas.
“We have 52 water carts to come as an intervention until all systems pick up. We have agreed that we implement some restrictions, such as load shedding. We’re going to shift some water and give it to the areas where there’s been a shortage,” she said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to shed light on plans to tackle the water crisis in his State of the Nation Address this evening.