Parliament, Wednesday, 10 May 2017 – The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation values the initiatives undertaken to assist the Western Cape with the extreme drought currently being experienced in the region. The work done by all spheres of government must ensure accessibility of water to this drought-stricken area.

The Committee was informed that an agreement was reached on establishing an inter-ministerial task team, which will focus among other things on the implementation of the restrictions of 20% for domestic use and 30% for agriculture.

Other interventions to address the drought will focus on water abstractions from various sources in the Western Cape, the clearance of two channels in Voëlvlei and Theewaterskloof dams, and the installation of 16 pumps for the Berg Bridge, so as to not loose water in Theewaterskloof Dam. On 16 May 2017, the department together with provincial stakeholders will host a water indaba to work on an intervention plan of not less than two years. The aim of this engagement is to create a common understanding by bringing together key sectors to share ideas and innovation on current and future regional water planning, thoughts on solutions for long-term water security and the impacts of drought.

The Committee also pointed to the negative effect skills shortage continues have on the work of the Department of Water and Sanitation. The Committee is of the view that this challenge, which has long been an impediment to the successful delivery of water to South Africans, must be urgently resolved.

The Committee’s view was a response to the assertion by the department that the challenges faced by municipalities have had a ripple effect on the work of the Department of Water and Sanitation. It compels the department to undertake projects and work of municipalities to ensure the delivery of water services to South African citizens, instead of focusing on its core mandate and work.

      

While the Committee appreciates the causal factors of the current skills shortages, it is of the view that the challenge is longstanding and interventions should already be in place to remedy the challenge.

In relation to the financial position of the department, the Committee raised concerns about the ability of the Water Trading Entity to pay its R2.9 billion overdraft. While the department suggested that there is a plan in place to pay, with an amount of R1.9 billion set aside for this financial year, the Committee requested a thorough plan on payment of the overdraft.

Questions were raised about the value added to the work of water infrastructure development in South Africa by the construction unit, with a staff component of approximately 3 000, based within the department. The Committee argued that it would be preferable for the department to provide a substantive input on the unit in terms of the links between different infrastructure components of the department, such as the Water Trading Entity and Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority.      

 

ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE ACTING-CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WATER AND SANITATION, MR HLOMANI CHAUKE  

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