Department of Water and Sanitation explained

Agency Name:Department of Water and Sanitation
Formed: (as the Department of Irrigation in the Union of South Africa)
Jurisdiction:Government of South Africa
Region Code:ZA
Budget: (2022/23)[1]
Minister1 Name:Pemmy Majodina
Minister1 Pfo:Minister of Water Affairs and Sanitation
Deputyminister1 Name:David Mahlobo
Deputyminister1 Pfo:Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation
Deputyminister2 Name:Judith Tshabalala
Deputyminister2 Pfo:Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation
Chief1 Name:Margaret-Ann Diedricks
Chief1 Position:Director-General: Water Affairs
Type:Department
Website:https://www.dws.gov.za/

The Department of Water and Sanitation is one of the departments of the South African government. It is responsible for the state of water and sanitation in South Africa.

In May 2009, following the election of Jacob Zuma, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry was divided, with the forestry responsibility being transferred to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The Department of Water and Sanitation was established in May 2014 by President Jacob Zuma with former Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane becoming the first Minister (26 May 2014 – 28 January 2018). She was replaced by Gugile Nkwinti.[2]

Corruption and incapacitation

The department has developed a reputation for fraud, corruption and procurement irregularities.[3] The 2019/20 financial year report noted R10-billion had been squandered by the department,[4] and the 2020-21 financial report has found another R10-billion in irregular expenditure.[5] As a result of this widespread, large-scale and persistent financial ill-discipline, the department has stated it cannot fund necessary water infrastructure projects.[6] A report by Corruption Watch and the Water Integrity Network in 2020 noted that corruption in the Department of Water and Sanitation exacerbates water shortages in South Africa, as are currently happening in the Eastern Cape.[7]

Water security

In 2022, the department revealed that almost all municipalities had ageing and dysfunctional water infrastructure. Poor maintenance and operations at local government level caused an average 40% (26%-60%) of water to be lost before it reached end users.[8]

References

  1. Web site: Department of Water and Sanitation - Annual Report 2022/23 .
  2. http://www.infrastructurene.ws/2018/02/27/cabinet-reshuffle-meet-the-new-minister-of-water-and-sanitation/
  3. Web site: Lindiwe Sisulu holds water and sanitation officials to account. 2021-07-24. BusinessLIVE. en-ZA.
  4. Web site: 2021-06-10. Sisulu to 'sweep' clean her corruption-ridden department. 2021-07-24. The Mail & Guardian. en-ZA.
  5. Web site: Water and Sanitation Department reveals almost R10bn in irregular expenditure. 2021-07-24. www.iol.co.za. en.
  6. Web site: Felix. Jason. Dried up: Water dept does not have capacity to fund mega projects, says Lindiwe Sisulu. 2021-07-24. News24. en-US.
  7. Web site: Gagné-Acoulon. Sandrine. Report: Corruption fuels Water Shortage in South Africa. 2021-07-24. www.occrp.org. en-GB.
  8. News: Fisher . Shamiela . Mchunu says SA municipalities lose up to 40% of water to aging infrastructure . 20 February 2022 . Eyewitness News . ewn.co.za . 19 February 2022.

External links

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