In recent weeks, some local government leaders have suggested that Minister Pemmy Majodina is “blaming” municipalities for South Africa’s water challenges, accusing her of passing the buck. AWSISA begs to differ. Minister Majodina is not engaging in political finger-pointing. She is articulating a fact-based, structural analysis of water provision in South Africa, in the context of our constitutional and legislative framework.

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is constitutionally mandated to develop water policy, manage bulk infrastructure, and provide oversight of water provision. Municipalities, on the other hand, hold the primary responsibility for delivering water and sanitation services directly to communities, maintaining infrastructure, and ensuring operational functionality. As designated water services authorities, it is both reasonable and necessary to expect municipalities to deliver reliable water and sanitation services and to acknowledge when they fall short.

Despite this clear mandate, systemic underperformance persists. Leaks, burst pipes, untreated wastewater and inadequate storage capacity reflect chronic infrastructure neglect and operational inefficiency at municipal level. Over recent years, national government has invested billions of rand in water and sanitation-related grants to address infrastructure backlogs and provide free basic water to indigent households. Technical support has been prioritised and dedicated water and sanitation entities have been established or strengthened to bolster service delivery.

Minister Majodina has directed Water Boards to collaborate closely with municipalities to safeguard water security and decent sanitation. Recognising the need for innovative approaches, she, together with the Minister of Finance, approved the establishment of a special purpose vehicle between Emfuleni Local Municipality and Rand Water. This initiative aligns with the Presidential Water and Sanitation Indaba’s resolution to explore new delivery models. Building on this momentum, she submitted a Bill, approved by Cabinet and now before Parliament, to restructure municipal water provision. The legislation provides for a range of models, including concessions and the appointment of professional service providers, aimed at improving efficiency and service outcomes.

To ensure success, the Minister convenes regular intergovernmental sessions with Water Boards, municipalities, MECs of COGTA, and Premiers. These engagements drives home the message that cooperative governance and coordinated action across all spheres of government are essential to address South Africa’s water crisis. When government acts with clarity, coordination and shared commitment to citizens, even the most daunting infrastructure challenges can be overcome.

Financial stability remains a critical concern. Municipalities’ non-payment threatens the very institutions responsible for bulk water supply. Vaal Central Water is owed over R10.1 billion, with Matjhabeng Local Municipality alone responsible for R9.1 billion. Rand Water is owed R8.2 billion, and municipalities such as Maquassi Hills and Thabazimbi owe sizeable sums to Magalies Water. When bulk suppliers are financially compromised, they cannot maintain treatment works, upgrade pipelines, expand storage capacity or invest in resilience against climate extremes, thus weakening water security for the citizens they serve.

The recurring nature of municipal failures warrants candid discussion. Many municipalities operate water networks far beyond their design lifespan with minimal investment in repair or replacement. Storage reservoirs, pipelines, and pump stations are subjected to deferred maintenance, eroding reliability and increasing the likelihood of service disruptions. Similarly, infrastructure expansion has not kept pace with rapid urbanisation and population growth, resulting in predictable water insecurity in developing areas.

Financial mismanagement compounds these technical challenges. Even when national grants and dedicated revenue streams are ring-fenced for water and sanitation, municipal budgets often fail to prioritise these services. Inefficient allocation, delayed procurement, and under-expenditure undermine national investment. Meanwhile, accountability gaps persist. Municipal councils are constitutionally responsible for oversight of service delivery, yet executive accountability remains weak, allowing systemic failures to continue despite early warning signs and available technical support.

These patterns are structural and pervasive. Minister Majodina’s statements do not constitute political blame. They recognise that without effective municipal governance, national interventions alone cannot ensure water security. Mischaracterising this as “blame shifting” risks undermining the accountability mechanisms essential to resolving these crises.

National government can provide policy frameworks, financial support, and technical assistance, but the frontline delivery of water rests with municipalities. If they fail to maintain infrastructure, plan strategically, allocate budgets effectively, and enforce executive accountability, the country will continue to experience recurrent water shortages, service interruptions and public health risks.

Municipalities must prioritise maintenance and replacement of ageing infrastructure. Leaks, pipe bursts, and failing treatment plants are rarely sudden events; they result from prolonged neglect. By implementing scheduled repairs and planned upgrades, municipalities can reduce service disruptions and extend the lifespan of critical infrastructure. In this regard, AWSISA welcomes municipalities that have proactively sought assistance from its members to manage and upgrade infrastructure.

Equally, municipalities must ensure that ring-fenced funding for water and sanitation is used fully and exclusively for its intended purpose. National grants and revenue streams represent substantial public investment. When deployed effectively, these funds can significantly enhance infrastructure performance and expand access to safe, reliable water services.

It is also essential to remember that access to safe and reliable water is a fundamental human right in South Africa. Municipal failures in this domain are not merely administrative lapses. They are breaches of a core constitutional obligation. National oversight and intervention are justified and necessary when municipalities fail to uphold this responsibility. Minister Majodina is performing a vital oversight role by highlighting failures and calling for corrective measures.

AWSISA stands firmly behind Minister Majodina in advocating for accountability, cooperation, and effective governance, recognising that universal access to safe water and decent sanitation can only be achieved through collaboration across all spheres of government.

National government can support, but accountability rests with municipalities. Minister Majodina’s statements are a reaffirmation of this principle, and AWSISA stands firmly with Minister Majodina in advocating for accountability.

Expert insights by Ramateu Monyokolo, Chairperson of the Rand Water Board and the Association of Water and Sanitation Institutions in South Africa (AWSISA).