Government allocates R12.3 billion to municipal infrastructure

The South African government is stepping up its efforts to tackle the country’s pressing waterand sanitation crisis, backed by a massive financial commitment. During the current financialyear, the Department of Water and Sanitation has allocated R12.3 billion in infrastructure grantsdirectly to municipalities. Delivering her budget vote speech in the National Council of Provinces(NCOP) on Wednesday, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina emphasized that the 19government is actively rolling out decisive interventions. These measures aim to improve overallwater security, rehabilitate rapidly ageing infrastructure, and expand access to reliable water andsanitation services across all nine provinces.Despite these heavily funded initiatives, Minister Majodina openly acknowledged the harshrealities still facing many citizens on the ground. She noted that numerous communities continueto endure frequent water interruptions, highly disruptive sewage spillages, deterioratingwastewater treatment systems, and severe levels of water losses.Recognizing the urgency of these systemic failures, President Cyril Ramaphosa previously tookdirect action by establishing the National Water Crisis Committee. Under his directive, thecommittee is tasked with overseeing the swift and thorough implementation of the NationalWater Action Plan to restore stability to the nation's water supply.   Colleen Makhubele in conversation with Deputy Minister David Mahlobo – Department of Water & SanitationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.