By BAKANG MOKOTO
7 April 2026 – The Democratic Alliance (DA) firmly opposes the Department of Water and Sanitation’s proposed regulations for managing government waterworks and adjacent state-owned land. The DA said these regulations represent a significant and unlawful policy shift that jeopardises public access to state dams, undermines private property rights and threatens local economies that depend on recreational and commercial activities around these water sources.
DA spokesperson for CoGTA in the Free State Provincial Legislature, David Mc Kay said under the National Water Act, South Africans have long enjoyed the right to use state dams for recreational purposes, such as boating, fishing and swimming. Mc Kay said these rights are protected as “existing lawful water uses” under the law.
“However, the proposed regulations aim to restrict public access to state dams, cr iminalise traditional recreational activities and impose burdensome lease agreements for both recreational and commercial use.
“The draft regulations and accompanying Resource Management Plans (RMPs) would require individuals, clubs, and businesses to obtain formal agreements to access water surfaces and adjacent land,” he said.
Mc Kay further said this would effectively block direct access from private properties and impose administrative burdens on landowners, turning them into compliance officers for the state. He added that longstanding businesses such as sailing clubs, marinas, guesthouses and tour operators would face uncertainty, increased costs, and short-term lease agreements, which discourage investment and threaten their survival.
“The DA will oppose these regulations, which are both unconstitutional and economically harmful. By prioritising state revenue over public access and local economic development, the ANC government risks destroying jobs and livelihoods in communities that depend on dam-based tourism and recreation.
“We encourage all South Africans to join us in opposing these detrimental regulations. Send your objections before 13 April 2026 to Director-General, Department of Water and Sanitation, Private Bag X313, Pretoria 0001,” said Mc Kay.
He said the DA will continue to advocate for public access to state dams, recognise existing lawful recreational uses, and safeguard local economies. Mc Kay said together, they can ensure South Africa’s water resources remain accessible to all citizens and are managed sustainably for future generations.
The Guardian 