ANC to 'elevate water and sanitation interventions' - Mbalula

JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC) has expressed serious concern over the country’s severe water crisis and has committed to prioritising efforts to address the ongoing shortages.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the party’s national executive committee meeting in Boksburg on Saturday, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said the party is actively seeking solutions to the water challenges.

Recently, protests in parts of the country were responses to prolonged water cuts.

The Gauteng province has been experiencing severe water shortages over the past few years, largely due to increasing demand.

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The province has been struggling to meet the needs of its growing population, while municipal reluctance to upgrade water infrastructure remains a contributing factor.

Other provinces have also been facing similar challenges, with the North West now among those of concern to the government.

Mbalula said the focus must now shift to tackling the ongoing water shortages.

“We are going to elevate water and sanitation interventions on our agenda. We want government, which is what they’ve done, to also elevate it. The minister will speak to the specifics in terms of the water challenges, municipality by municipality.”

Mbalula said the energy grid has now been stabilised, and the same attention must be given to the emerging water crisis.