In a joint initiative to raise public awareness about the impact that theft and vandalism have on water and sanitation infrastructure, thus on essential services to communities, the National Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in conjunction with local authorities is driving anti-vandalism awareness campaign across the Western Cape Province.

Launched in May 2022 at City of Cape Town the campaign aims to highlight the valuable role all stakeholders, including spheres of government and the public, must play to protect this critical infrastructure and staff who deliver this essential service.

Late last year, Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu held a working session with all Water Service Authorities of the Western Cape.

During the working session, vandalism of water and sanitation infrastructure was identified as one of the major problems in the delivery of basic services.

Further, vandalism of water and sanitation infrastructure disrupts local municipalities’ ability to meet their core mandate, which is to provide basic services.

As part of the Anti-vandalism awareness campaign the West Coast leg is scheduled for 19-22 July 2022, Simpiwe Mashicila, Director Infrastructure at DWS Western Cape, said vandalism of basic services deprived citizens of basic services.

Mashicila further states that in the past months, destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure has reached concerning levels.

Another leg of the joint awareness campaign against vandalism will take place in Bitou Local Municipality Garden Route in August 2022.