The Department of Water and Sanitation, in partnership with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), has expressed strong confidence in the newly launched Water Sector Anti-Corruption Forum, aimed at combating corruption and strengthening accountability within South Africa’s water sector.
The initiative comes at a critical time as the country continues to face persistent water supply challenges, many of which are linked to vandalism and corruption affecting water infrastructure and resources.
The Forum is designed to support anti-corruption initiatives, improve coordination among law enforcement agencies, and enhance investigative capacity to effectively address wrongdoing within the sector.
Speaking at the launch event in Pretoria on Thursday, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina highlighted the severe consequences of corruption in the water sector. In her keynote address, she warned that failure to act decisively could push already vulnerable communities into deeper hardship due to unreliable water access.
“When corruption infiltrates the water sector, it does not simply manipulate procurement processes or inflate invoices. It dries up taps, delays dams, and contaminates rivers. In a water-scarce country such as South Africa, corruption is not a victimless crime. It is a direct assault on human dignity and development,” Majodina said.
She stressed that corruption in the sector disproportionately affects poor communities, often forcing women and children to bear the burden of limited access to safe water.
Majodina described the establishment of the Forum as a clear declaration of the government’s commitment to protecting both water resources and citizens’ rights.
“The launch of the Water Sector Anti-Corruption Forum signals a new era of vigilance, coordination and shared responsibility. It demonstrates our determination to protect our water resources with the same resolve with which we protect our democracy,” she added.
The Minister also urged officials within the department to remain committed to their oath of office and to carry out their duties diligently to ensure reliable service delivery.
Acting SIU Head, Advocate Leonard Lekgetho, said the Forum will bring together law enforcement agencies, regulators, civil society, traditional leaders, organised labour, activists, and the private sector to collectively tackle corruption in the water sector.
He emphasised that collaborative efforts will help strengthen accountability, address systemic weaknesses, and produce measurable outcomes. Lekgetho added that the Forum also supports the goals of the National Development Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to ensure universal access to clean water and sanitation.
Meanwhile, Advocate Andy Mothibi, head of the National Director of Public Prosecutions, reaffirmed the National Prosecuting Authority’s commitment to supporting the initiative. He stated that the NPA will continue to prosecute individuals and organised criminal networks, including so-called “water mafias,” that interfere with the delivery of water services.
The launch of the Forum marks a significant step in the government’s efforts to protect critical water infrastructure and ensure that all South Africans have access to safe and reliable water.
