The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has launched an inquiry into Gauteng’s worsening water crisis amid growing concerns over persistent shortages, ageing infrastructure and the impact on vulnerable communities across the province.
The inquiry, convened by the commission’s Gauteng Provincial Office, forms part of an investigation into ongoing water challenges affecting municipalities throughout the province.
The SAHRC said the investigation follows numerous complaints relating to recurring water outages, service delivery failures, deteriorating infrastructure and governance shortcomings that have undermined reliable access to water.
The commission said it is particularly concerned about the impact of the crisis on poor and marginalised communities, including residents of informal settlements, schools, healthcare facilities and social care institutions.
Among the issues under scrutiny are the extent of water access challenges, infrastructure failures, emergency response measures, intergovernmental coordination and the effectiveness of municipalities and other state entities in responding to the crisis.
During proceedings, Lesedi Municipality Municipal Manager Sibusiso Dlamini told the inquiry that inconsistent water supply from wholesale providers remains one of the municipality’s major challenges.
Dlamini said while water is “never completely off”, fluctuations in pressure on the wholesale side affect consistent supply to residents.
He said the municipality has invested in upgrading infrastructure, including replacing ageing asbestos pipes over the past eight years and installing new pumps to improve water pressure.
“We have worked also with Rand Water to try and resolve some of the issues we have. They have been assisting us on issues that deal with water pressure,” Dlamini said.
He added that the municipality had succeeded in extending water supply to areas that previously had no access to water and said revenue collection for water services currently stands at around 69%.
SAHRC Commissioner Dr Henk Boshoff acknowledged the municipality’s efforts but raised concern about ongoing water shortages in Ratanda.
“We are concerned about human rights violations in Ratanda because people do not have water in Ratanda. With exception to that, I think you as the officials are trying,” Boshoff said.
Midvaal Municipality Municipal Manager Phumudzo Magodi told the inquiry that the municipality relies heavily on groundwater and Rand Water systems to supply residents.
Magodi said Midvaal currently supplies 47 informal settlements through water tankers while long-term plans are being developed to provide permanent groundwater infrastructure in those communities.
He said one of the municipality’s major challenges is a backlog in reservoir infrastructure and ageing systems, with maintenance costs estimated at around R1 billion.
“We are looking at having a ring feed kind of system, so when there is a problem with Rand Water we are able to still supply water,” Magodi said.
Despite infrastructure challenges, Magodi said the municipality maintains a water collection rate of just over 90% and supplies water to 99% of households through Midvaal systems.
He acknowledged that sewer spillages do occur but said incidents are reported to the Department of Water and Sanitation and addressed within a reasonable timeframe.
Boshoff praised Midvaal Municipality’s management of water services, describing it as a benchmark for other municipalities in Gauteng.
“I really think the municipality is excelling and this needs massive applause. I do think that your municipality in this province should be used as a benchmark municipality,” Boshoff said.
The SAHRC inquiry is expected to continue gathering evidence from municipalities and stakeholders as it assesses the extent of the crisis and possible interventions to safeguard residents’ constitutional right to water.
