Ramaphosa says criminality affecting water supply must be rooted out

JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa says the criminality that affects water supply must come to an end.

Ramaphosa was delivering the keynote address at the Water Indaba taking place in Midrand on Thursday.

The indaba is taking place as parts of the country continue to grapple with water supply challenges, which have mostly been blamed on infrastructure failures.

This has resulted in syndicates cropping up in some areas who abuse the need for water by selling the precious resource.

Ramaphosa says access to water is a right that all South Africans need to enjoy without being abused.

"Beyond being a strategic national asset and natural resource, and a key enabler to economic growth and the supporter of life, the provision of water is about restoring and affirming the dignity of all."