Department of Water and Sanitation
{{Short description|Department of the South African government}}
{{Cleanup bare URLs|date=August 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}{{Use South African English|date = January 2024}}
{{Infobox government agency
| agency_name = Department of Water and Sanitation
| nativename = {{collapsible list
|titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;padding-left:2.5em;font-size:85%;
|liststyle = text-align:center;white-space:nowrap;
| {{small|{{nobold|10 other official names:}}}}
| {{native name|af|{{small|Departement van Waterwese en Bosbou}}|fontsize=68%}}
| {{native name|nr|{{small|umNyango wezaManzi namaHlathi}}|fontsize=68%}}
| {{native name|xh|{{small|iSebe lezaManzi namaHlathi}}|fontsize=68%}}
| {{native name|zu|{{small|uMnyango Wezamanzi Namahlathi}}|fontsize=68%}}
| {{native name|ss|{{small|Litiko Letemanti Netemahlatsi}}|fontsize=68%}}
| {{native name|nso|{{small|Kgoro ya Merero ya Meetse le Kagodikgwa}}|fontsize=68%}}
| {{native name|st|{{small|Lefapha la Merero ya Metsi le Meru}}|fontsize=68%}}
| {{native name|tn|{{small|Lefapha la Merero ya Metsi le Dikgwa}}|fontsize=68%}}
| {{native name|ts|{{small|Ndzawulo ya Timhaka ta Mati ni Swihlahla}}|fontsize=68%}}
| {{native name|ve|{{small|Muhasho wa zwa Maḓi na Maḓaka}}|fontsize=68%}}
}}
| formed = {{Start date and age|1912}} (as the Department of Irrigation in the Union of South Africa)
| jurisdiction = Government of South Africa
| region_code = ZA
| budget = {{ZAR|18.555 billion}} (2022/23){{Cite web |title=Department of Water and Sanitation - Annual Report 2022/23 |url=https://www.dws.gov.za/Documents/AnnualReports/AR%202022-23_25%20August%202023@29%20Sept%2012-16.pdf}}
| minister1_name = Pemmy Majodina
| minister1_pfo = Minister of Water Affairs and Sanitation
| deputyminister1_name = David Mahlobo
| deputyminister1_pfo = Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation
| deputyminister2_name = Judith Tshabalala
| deputyminister2_pfo = Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation
| chief1_name = Margaret-Ann Diedricks
| chief1_position = Director-General: Water Affairs
| type = Department
| logo = Department of Water and Sanitation logo.svg
| website = https://www.dws.gov.za/
}}
The Department of Water and Sanitation is one of the departments of the South African government. It is responsible for the state of water and sanitation in South Africa.
In May 2009, following the election of Jacob Zuma, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry was divided, with the forestry responsibility being transferred to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The Department of Water and Sanitation was established in May 2014 by President Jacob Zuma with former Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane becoming the first Minister (26 May 2014 – 28 January 2018). She was replaced by Gugile Nkwinti.http://www.infrastructurene.ws/2018/02/27/cabinet-reshuffle-meet-the-new-minister-of-water-and-sanitation/{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
Corruption and incapacitation
The department has developed a reputation for fraud, corruption and procurement irregularities.{{Cite web|title=Lindiwe Sisulu holds water and sanitation officials to account|url=https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/national/2021-06-10-lindiwe-sisulu-holds-water-and-sanitation-officials-to-account/|access-date=2021-07-24|website=BusinessLIVE|language=en-ZA}} The 2019/20 financial year report noted R10-billion had been squandered by the department,{{Cite web|date=2021-06-10|title=Sisulu to 'sweep' clean her corruption-ridden department|url=https://mg.co.za/news/2021-06-10-lindiwe-sisulu-to-sweep-clean-her-corruption-ridden-department/|access-date=2021-07-24|website=The Mail & Guardian|language=en-ZA}} and the 2020–21 financial report has found another R10-billion in irregular expenditure.{{Cite web|title=Water and Sanitation Department reveals almost R10bn in irregular expenditure|url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/water-and-sanitation-department-reveals-almost-r10bn-in-irregular-expenditure-e143a337-8998-41d0-a83f-246c559ff531|access-date=2021-07-24|website=www.iol.co.za|language=en}} As a result of this widespread, large-scale and persistent financial ill-discipline, the department has stated it cannot fund necessary water infrastructure projects.{{Cite web|last=Felix|first=Jason|title=Dried up: Water dept does not have capacity to fund mega projects, says Lindiwe Sisulu|url=https://www.news24.com/news24/SouthAfrica/News/dried-up-water-dept-does-not-have-capacity-to-fund-mega-projects-says-lindiwe-sisulu-20210724|access-date=2021-07-24|website=News24|language=en-US}} A report by Corruption Watch and the Water Integrity Network in 2020 noted that corruption in the Department of Water and Sanitation exacerbates water shortages in South Africa, as are currently happening in the Eastern Cape.{{Cite web|last=Gagné-Acoulon|first=Sandrine|title=Report: Corruption fuels Water Shortage in South Africa|url=https://www.occrp.org/en/daily/11832-report-corruption-fuels-water-shortage-in-south-africa|access-date=2021-07-24|website=www.occrp.org|language=en-GB}}
Water security
In 2022, the department revealed that almost all municipalities had ageing and dysfunctional water infrastructure. Poor maintenance and operations at local government level caused an average 40% (26%-60%) of water to be lost before it reached end users.{{cite news |last1=Fisher |first1= Shamiela |title=Mchunu says SA municipalities lose up to 40% of water to aging infrastructure |url= https://ewn.co.za/2022/02/19/mchunu-says-sa-municipalities-lose-up-to-40-of-water-to-aging-infrastructure |access-date=20 February 2022 |agency= Eyewitness News |publisher=ewn.co.za |date=19 February 2022}}
References
External links
- [http://www.dws.gov.za/ Department of Water and Sanitation website]
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{{SA Government departments}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Department Of Water and Sanitation}}
Category:Water supply and sanitation in South Africa
Category:Ministries established in 1912
Category:Water resource management in South Africa
Category:Water in South Africa
Category:1912 establishments in South Africa
{{SouthAfrica-gov-stub}}