Parliament, Tuesday, 11 August 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation will this coming weekend, 14–16 August 2026, hold the first public hearings on the Water Services Amendment Bill [B24–2025] in Mpumalanga Province as part of a nationwide public participation process.
The public hearings form part of Parliament’s constitutional responsibility to facilitate public involvement in the legislative process. Section 59 of the Constitution requires the National Assembly to facilitate public participation and conduct its business in an open manner.
To ensure that communities are adequately informed and able to make meaningful submissions, Parliament has conducted a series of educational programmes on the Bill ahead of the public hearings. These programmes are intended to empower communities with the information necessary to understand the proposed legislation and contribute effectively to the process.
The Water Services Amendment Bill seeks to address persistent challenges facing South Africa’s water sector, including unreliable water and sanitation services, inadequate management and maintenance of water infrastructure, declining water quality, accountability gaps and weak enforcement mechanisms.
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation, Mr Leon Basson, emphasised the importance of public participation in developing legislation that responds to the needs of communities and the country as a whole.
“The country's water value chain has experienced various challenges. This Bill proposes measures that are intended to remedy these shortcomings, and it is important that people participate in crafting and strengthening the legislation,” said Mr Basson.
Key proposals in the Bill
Among the key proposals contained in the Water Services Amendment Bill are:
- The introduction of a mandatory licensing system for all water service providers, with a 12-month compliance period following the finalisation of regulations.
- The establishment of minimum competency standards to promote professionalism and prevent the neglect of water infrastructure.
- A clearer separation of responsibilities between Water Services Authorities and Water Services Providers to strengthen accountability.
- The introduction of stricter penalties for non-compliance and for the operation of unlicensed water service providers.
- Enhanced enforcement powers for the Minister to intervene where persistent water and sanitation service delivery failures occur.
Mr Basson reiterated that meaningful public participation is a cornerstone of democratic lawmaking and stressed that the process must ensure that communities have a genuine opportunity to influence the legislation. “Public participation is not merely a tick-box exercise. It is a constitutional imperative that ensures legislation is responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people. This process must be as inclusive, accessible and far-reaching as possible.”
The committee encourages members of the public, communities, civil society organisations, water sector stakeholders and other interested parties to participate in the upcoming public hearings and educational programmes. The public participation process provides an important opportunity for South Africans to share their experiences, raise concerns and make proposals that can help strengthen the regulation, delivery and sustainability of water and sanitation services.
The committee looks forward to engaging communities across the country as it undertakes this important legislative process aimed at contributing to a more effective, accountable and sustainable water services sector for present and future generations.
MPUMALANGA HEARINGS
DATE | DISTRICT/LOCAL MUNICIPALITY | VENUE/TIME |
Friday, 14 August | Ehlanzeni District Municipality | Graskop Town Hall |
Saturday, 15 August | Nkangala District Municipality | Sinqobile Community Hall Emalahleni |
Sunday, 16 August | Gert Sibande District Municipality | Gert Sibande Council Chamber , Ermelo @10:00 |
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WATER AND SANITATION, MR LEON BASSON
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Malatswa Molepo (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8438
Cell: 081 512 7920
E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
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