Pemmy Majodina, Minister of Water and Sanitation, in Parliament. (Photo: Parliament/X)
The civil rights organization AfriForum sharply condemned the South African government’s decision to approve a multi-million rand investment in Tanzania’s water infrastructure.
According to AfriForum, the allocation of R800 million for the Zanzibar Water Authority (ZAWA) indicates serious misplaced priorities that directly harm local service delivery.
The controversial decision was announced earlier this week by Pemmy Majodina, Minister of Water and Sanitation. According to government notice 7166, Rand Water will enter into a partnership with ZAWA.
According to AfriForum, permission was granted to conclude a management contract with ZAWA in the “revolutionary government of Zanzibar” for the operation, management and maintenance of strategic water infrastructure.
AfriForum labels this huge investment as a politically driven decision that was taken at the expense of local residents.
Local crisis ignored
According to AfriForum, especially residents of Gauteng, as well as parts of Mpumalanga, the Free State and the North West, who depend on Rand Water’s bulk water services, are harmed by this decision.
Archive photo of Rand Water. (Photo: Tania Heyns/Maroela Media)
Marais de Vaal, advisor for environmental affairs at AfriForum, emphasized that the government is neglecting its constitutional duty towards its own citizens.
“Enoch Godongwana, the finance minister, argued in his budget speech on Wednesday that R64 billion is needed to solve the water supply problem in Johannesburg alone.
“This highlights the extent of the crisis in this city, yet the very government approves a multi-million rand investment for the delivery of water services abroad.
“It is clear that the political will to solve the crisis is completely lacking. The government is thus failing in its constitutional responsibility to deliver water – a critical basic service – to residents of Gauteng in particular,” says De Vaal.
Questions about integrity and finances
The organization also points out that Rand Water’s partnership with ZAWA is taking place amid criticism of the Tanzanian water authority over irregularities in the awarding of tenders.
In addition, poor revenue collection hampers this authority, and the financial position appears to be shaky.
De Vaal points out that a 2022 report already warned against ZAWA’s increasing dependence on government subsidies.
“The decision to invest South African resources in such an environment while local systems are faltering is therefore strongly questioned.”