The failure of some municipalities to collect on money owed for service delivery took centre stage at a meeting of the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and stakeholders to discuss the implementation of water services programmes in the Eastern Cape.
The gathering consisting of DWS officials and the Eastern Cape Water Committee (ECWAC) was held in Bhisho, on Thursday with the purpose to create channels of discussions and joint planning with key stakeholders.
Other participants included the South African Local Government Authority (SALGA), Water Research Commission (WRC), Office of the Premier (OTP), Amatola Water Board and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA).
In statement by the DWS, it indicated that the ultimate long-term strategy was to find common ground for prioritizing issues that should be brought to the attention of the political leadership through the sitting of Eastern Cape Provincial Water Forum (PROWAF) led by the Member of the Executive Committee (MEC) of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
“Water Service Authorities shared their experiences by utilising knowledge and experience of starving off challenges in their areas of operation, especially on water-related matters. Municipalities raised common issues that hindered the delivery of water to the communities. Issues of non-functioning of water schemes, illegal connections, theft and vandalism of infrastructure, water leaks and water wastage in rural areas were also debated.”
Officials from Cogta has raised the issue of municipalities failing to collect revenue in their areas of operation.
“As agreed, DWS will consolidate and package issues raised for presentation during the sitting of the Executive Council (EXCO) led by the Premier of the Province.”
