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Committee alarmed over water quality failures amid AG report

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Picture: A woman drawing water from the tap/Generic

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

1 April 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) raised alarm over failures in water quality and warned that non-compliance with drinking water and wastewater standards may harm communities. The committee received a briefing from the Office of the Auditor-General (AG) on its audits of the water sector.

The Chairperson of Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Zweli Mkhize said the findings show, among other things, critical weaknesses, particularly in infrastructure maintenance. Mkhize said the committee heard that municipalities are spending far below required benchmarks on maintenance, with the vast majority failing to meet minimum standards.

He further said as a result, water losses remain extremely high, water quality continues to deteriorate and wastewater treatment systems are failing at scale. Mkhize added that the AG’s findings are very concerning, particularly findings on the deteriorating quality of water services in many municipalities.

“The health risks of poor water treatment and contamination. This has a direct impact on the health of communities. In urban settings, failures in water treatment systems heighten the risk of outbreaks such as cholera and pollution, as well as diseases such as dysentery.

“The committee also raised concerns about huge water losses. The statistics provided by the AG indicate a loss of approximately 56% of treated water. This, the committee noted, reflects deep systemic inefficiencies,” he said.

Mkhize said literally, of the water that has been treated, they lose more than they actually use and that is a matter of serious concern. He said the committee flagged the growing reliance on water tankers amid persistent water disruptions.

“The committee noted that expenditure on this is estimated at R2.3 billion and cautioned that water tankers, intended as a short-term emergency intervention, are increasingly being used as a substitute for reliable infrastructure.

“Some members noted allegations of tampering with water systems to create demand for tankers. These allegations require focused attention, they noted. The committee will focus its oversight on three critical areas, including poor accountability, inadequate institutional capacity and inadequate maintenance of water infrastructure,” said Mkhize.

He said these are the underlying drivers of the failures observed across the water value chain. Mkhize said the committee noted that the AG’s report contains a clear call to action.

“The AG highlights the need for stronger oversight, better coordination across all spheres of government, increased investment in maintenance and stronger consequence management.

“The committee also noted that this call comes as the current trajectory will continue to undermine reliable access to safe water. This will place increasing pressure on communities and the economy,” he said.

Mkhize said in this context, the committee indicated that its oversight work will include engagements with the Department of Water and Sanitation and specific municipalities with challenges. He said, however, noted that more preparatory work is required.

“This will help ensure discussions in the planned meeting with the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation are focused and address concrete problem areas.

“We need to do a bit more work before we can have such a meeting, so that we can focus on specific municipalities and avoid having a discussion that is all over the show,” said Mkhize.

He said the committee further reaffirmed its commitment to working with stakeholders across all spheres of government to strengthen accountability and improve water service delivery.

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Select Committee on Security and Justice on oversight visit to South African Navy

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By KEDIBONE MOLATSI

14 November 2024– The Select Committee on Security and Justice yesterday conducted its first oversight visit in the 7th Parliament to the South African Navy base in Simonstown in Cape Town, hailing the engagements as robust but productive.

The Chairperson of Select Portfolio, Jane Mananiso said that, among other things, the committee wanted to familiarise itself with the Navy’s services and operations and to engage on its 2023/24 annual performance report and 2024/25 performance indicators.

“We are a new committee. We wanted to hear first-hand the challenges that they have and how we can assist from our side. The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is the backbone in efforts to secure South Africa from external threats.

“In the value chain of the security cluster, the SANDF assists with maritime safety, border patrol, and air and land space monitoring, among other valuable functions,” she said.

Mananiso further said the naval base was chosen for the committee to receive a comprehensive introduction to the work of the Navy and its programmes, staffing, challenges, infrastructure, maintenance of its assets and how the budgetary constraints impact on operations.

She added that at the start of yesterday’s proceedings, they invoked Rule 127 of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), wherein a committee can, at the start of a meeting, deliberate on whether to close the proceedings to the public if it deems that the information to be presented is of a confidential nature and impacts on the security of the country.

“The committee deliberated behind closed doors on the matter and resolved that the meeting with the Minister of Defence, Angie Motshekga and the department, would be closed to the public. However, thereafter, the physical oversight and walkabout would be open to all.

“The committee heard that the Navy is working hard to provide combat-ready vessels and platforms for the defence of the country, as well as to satisfy its international commitments. It is further committed to eradicating all acts of maritime criminality within South Africa’s domain and surrounding waters,” said Mananiso.

She said, however, years of underfunding have resulted in the scheduled upkeep, maintenance and repair of vessels not taking place as required. Mananiso said the committee was informed, severely compromising the Navy’s ability to “fight and win” at sea.

“The committee was told that South Africa has 3 924 kilometres of maritime borders, with 96% of South Africa’s imports and exports moving by sea.

“The Navy indicated that its “Operation Corona” maritime coastal patrols are a deterrent for illegal, unregulated and uncontrolled fishing, but the monetary value of these forms of fishing exceeds that of legal fishing,” she said.

Mananiso said the committee noted that the Navy is working with other departments to put a stop to this criminality. She said the committee also heard that the Navy did not achieve its target of hours at sea for the 2023/2024 financial year due to prolonged maintenance and repairs to its vessels.  

“This is mainly due to capacity constraints at Armscor dockyard, which is further compounded by procurement challenges. The committee urged the Navy to establish a better working relationship between itself and Armscor.

“Regarding maintenance of Navy facilities, the committee requested more information on the relationship and functions with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI). The committee heard that day-to-day maintenance and emergency repairs were devolved from the DPWI to the Department of Defence,” Mananiso.

She said the committee also requested information about transformation relating to women, disability and LGBTQ+ and the committee was assured that programmes exist within the Navy to ensure inclusion and mainstreaming. Mananiso the committee also did a walkabout of the naval base, boarded the SA Drakensberg and visited the dry dock and the maintenance workshop.

“We have seen the picture and it shows the capabilities. We encouraged them for future plans for some services to be digitalised in the workshop. This is one of the spaces where it really shows you must find a way to deal with procurement matters. It was also highlighted to us that the new Bill in terms of procurement assists them to find a better way of dealing with procurement.

“The committee will forever advocate for more budget. We have emphasised, too, that they need to better prioritise. They have committed to meet the targets where they underachieved. We are committed to work with them,” she said.

Mananiso said they requested a detailed report on procurement and supply chain matters so we can ascertain if everything is above board or if consequence management should be meted out. She said they are moving in the right direction, irrespective of the challenges.

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Concern over taxi patrollers’ behaviour

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Picture: Taxi patrollers blocking a motorist/Twitter

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

4 November 2024 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Transport, Donald Selamolela, has called on taxi associations to be vigilant against the conduct of some of their patrollers, who often flood social media platforms. Selamolela said the committee will soon arrange a meeting with the industry on its programme to, among other things, understand this matter.

“There has been too much negativity about operations of the taxi industry nationwide, and with the invention of social media, one can never tell if the videos and voice notes are regurgitated. However, associations should prevail on their members and have a decent and enforceable code of conduct.

“We must all work to improve the taxi industry, where it becomes transport of choice rather than convenience. Some of the transgressions the drivers commit is wholly unnecessary and can frustrate any improvisation in the industry,” he said.

Selamolela further said, this week, a video of an alleged vehicle blocking a private vehicle that allegedly picked up a hitchhiker surfaced. He added that the South African National Taxi Association Council (SANTACO) representative came out to support the patrollers’ conduct and sought to suggest that minibus taxi operators had an exclusive right to pick up people.

“The Department of Transport informed the committee on Tuesday that, it is looking to pilot an electronic payment system in association with the industry. But not only that, the department is looking to review and improve the amount paid to the taxi recapitalisation programme.

“This kind of behaviour, especially if the video on social media is not a dated video, frustrates the work of government and compromises the industry in the eyes of the public. The committee is excited that our government is looking to aid the industry, and therefore, the committee expects the industry to introspect and avoid the proverbial scoring of own goals.

“Public transport practitioners should focus on professionalism, safety and responsible driving. The committee welcomed the successful observation of National Transport Month, which ended on Friday, and called for vigilance amongst all drivers as we head for the festive season,” said Selamolela.

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SAFA President Dr Jordaan in Morocco to attend CAF meeting

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Picture: SAFA president, Dr Danny Jordaan

By OBAKENG MAJE

South African Football Association (SAFA) President, Dr Danny Jordaan is in Rabat, Morocco to attend the CAF Executive Committee meeting on 19 April 2024. After the successful 32nd SAFA Ordinary Congress held at the Birchwood Hotel & Conference Centre in Johannesburg at the weekend, Jordaan is continuing with the association’s work and will, among other things, give CAF a full briefing on the outcome of the gathering in South Africa.

“Delegates from around the country descended on the venue in the east of Johannesburg to attend an event that was also graced by representatives from, among others, FIFA, SASCOC, COSAFA, and the Special Member, the National Soccer League (NSL). FIFA has already expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the SAFA Congress.

“More than 50 women were part of the delegates from different regions and represented the structures of football, some of them presidents and some vice presidents. They expressed their satisfaction and happiness with the progress that SAFA has made, and the commitment to women’s football,” he said.

Jordaan said the congress decided that every delegation must include at least one woman, which would bring more than 60 women to Congress, up from more than 50. He further said from a South African point of view, SAFA is looking forward to the announcement of the dates of the 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

“Banyana Banyana are the defending champions after beating Morocco 2-1 in the final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat in July 2022 to win the continental title for the first time,” he added.

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