Riyaz Patel
There is no tangible strategy to deal effectively with South Africa’s current drought challenges, Parliament’s select Committee on Cooperative Governance,Traditional Affairs, Water and Sanitation has said.
And while there is a Disaster Management Strategy in place, it strongly advocated for a sector specific plan that sets out clearly how the country can mitigate future challenges.
“We have long heard that South Africa is a water-scarce country and scientists have predicted frequent droughts as a result of a warming globe. What we need is foresight if we are to ensure security of water provision in the country,” said Committee Chair China Dodovu.
It called on the department to urgently consider developing a drought strategy looking at a possible water mix for South Africa, infrastructure to improve rain water harvesting, as well as ways to ensure an efficient consumption culture.
The parliamentary body also expressed concern on the continuing water challenges in Hammanskraal, Tshwane, saying the situation there further the highlights the need for an efficient forward planning strategy, especially in relation to infrastructure development to deal with high migration into the city.
“While we note and acknowledge the need for the intervention, the running costs of tankering, which are estimated at R1.8 million a week, is unsustainable in the long term,” Dodovu underlined.
