People collect water from a tanker in an area with interrupted supply. The SA Human Rights Commission has highlighted deep-seated issues, including water tanker mafias, which threaten the stability of water boards.
Experts on water-related issues say corruption around water tankering and the culture of non-payment were some of the reasons why South African water boards were drowning in debt.
The SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) interviewed a panel of experts in a webinar on policy and institutional measures that can be adopted to avert the financial collapse of water boards, on Wednesday. The SAHRC said water boards are collectively owed over R28 billion by municipalities, and the boards' ability to continue operations is under severe threat.
The SAHRC also examined the centrality of water boards and municipalities in water provision. The webinar also interrogated the drivers and causes of municipal debt to water boards.
The SAHRC's Khululiwe Sithole explained that water boards and municipalities play a pivotal role in the water services value chain. She said water boards provide bulk water services to municipalities, which enables municipalities in turn to fulfil their obligations of providing water to consumers within their jurisdiction.
