There is no drought in Gauteng but province is experiencing water challenges

JOHANNESBURG - The Water and Sanitation Department insists there is no drought in Gauteng but the province is experiencing water security challenges.

Gauteng has been experiencing water woes with restrictions up to level 3 being implemented.

Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has stuck by the sentiments she expressed in Parliament in October on Gauteng's water crisis.

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"I have been asked about my comment when I said this is a self-inflicted pain. Yes, I repeat it is a self-inflicted pain by the municipalities of Gauteng because we warned the municipalities of Gauteng since June to say please take car of your water infrastructure because you are losing lots of water."

But she said that there was no drought in the province.

"However, the province is experiencing water security challenges, which include credit management issues, water losses, aging infrastructure, illegal connections, illegal mining and servitude encroachment."

The ministry insists, however, that it has no authority to address the leaks in municipalities, which is a major crisis in Gauteng.

Majodina said there seemed to be more political will to address the water problems in the province, with the ministry for the first time meeting the Premier, MEC of water and municipal managers to address the issues weekly.