JOHANNESBURG - A new forum has been launched to tackle corruption in South Africa’s water sector.
The initiative, led by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the Department of Water and Sanitation, aims to address corruption, sabotage, and fraud across the water supply chain.
"We are excited about this," said the Association of Water and Sanitation Institutions of South Africa Deputy Chairperson, Nndweleni Mphephu.
"We are hoping for full participation from the waterboards that have been marred by corruption," he says.
Mphephu adds that there has been some improvement in governance at water boards between 2021 and 2022.
READ: Human Rights Commission probes water infrastructure failure
He says this coincides with the formation of the Association of Water and Sanitation Institutions of South Africa (ASISA), which represents water boards and catchment management agencies.
"We have seen criminal cases being opened and we cooperated," said Mphephu.
"Without the improvement of governance, we jeopardise water provision for our people," he added.
The Department of Water and Sanitation on Friday presented its budget, allocating R12-billion for infrastructure and related grants to fund 700 bulk water projects.
In addition, more than 300 water services initiatives are expected to receive funding.
READ: ‘Water is a constitutional right’: Zille takes Joburg water crisis to court
"We do know that the fiscus is constrained," said Mphephu.
"But what we are excited about is the intervention that the waterboards can have," he adds.
He says collaboration with other water service authorities could help accelerate infrastructure development and improve reticulation.