The Water and Sanitation Department’s deputy minister, David Mahlobo, says there are ongoing engagements with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to establish an anti-corruption forum.
This is viewed as a major step in addressing widespread corruption in the sector.
Stakeholders are meeting to discuss critical water issues at the Water and Sanitation Indaba at Midrand in Gauteng.
Mahlobo says the special anti-corruption unit will conduct lifestyle audits, among other things.
“We are agreeing now that we are setting up a water and sanitation anti-corruption forum. We’re all of us in terms of ensuring that the 10% of people that are there, who are facilitating the invoices, the 30% of people that are there, including the cases that the president has signed the proclamation, the SIU in the department, in the water boards and the municipalities are implemented. But most importantly we must have civic education. Around issues of integrity management. Including issues of lifestyle audits.”
Video: Water and Sanitation Indaba – Resolving South Africa’s water crisis: David Mahlobo
Various stakeholders, including Water Service Authorities, Water boards, the business sector, and thought leaders in the water sector, are meeting in Midrand to come up with long-term solutions that will tackle the country’s water security challenges and ensure reliable, sustainable water and sanitation for all citizens.
The country’s number one citizen, President Cyril Ramaphosa, says the time for talk is over. He implores the government to radically change its approach to dealing with the water crisis in the country.
The Water and Sanitation Indaba seeks to devise immediate solutions that will ensure a reliable and sustainable water supply to communities.
