As the public hearings into water challenges in Gauteng get under way, communities are calling for drastic action against water tank mafias and other acts of sabotage in the province.
Various civil society organisations gathered at the Constitution Hill for the South African Human Rights Commission's (SAHRC) public hearings on water challenges have urged municipalities to get rid of private water tank service providers and establish a commission of inquiry into some of the water challenges.
Citing corruption, economic sabotage, and vandalism of infrastructure, Dr Ferial Adam of the WaterCan movement was particularly vocal, urging the commission to incorporate water tanker services into municipal structures.
"We can no longer leave water tanker services to the private sector. It has to be inside. It is our constitutional right. The commission should recommend that water tanker services be municipalised," she asserted on Tuesday.
Furthermore, Dr Adam recommended to the SAHRC to establish an independent economic regulator for the water sector, as well as a commission of inquiry to probe water challenges, adding that the failure to establish an independent economic regulator for the water sector is a systemic flaw that undermines accountability and sustainability.
