Mashatile believes public-private partnerships within municipalities to assist with water projects having desired effect

Deputy President Paul Mashatile says he believes public-private partnerships within municipalities to assist with water projects is having the desired effect. 

Mashatile said that although difficult to set up, he said these partnerships were necessary to assist with the technical skills that government does not have. 

Answering questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Tuesday, Mashatile said that government was taking systemic steps through its water task team to deal with the widespread problems that are hindering the provision of water to many communities. 

"Through the water task team, we are tackling water security challenges by improving infrastructure, reforming institutions, and expediting project management in a coordinated approach."

But the Democratic Alliance (D)’s Paul Swart has lambasted government for not doing more to take criminal action against municipal officials who are colluding with companies that provide water tankers.

Mashatile said that because of the vandalism of infrastructure, municipalities were left with little choice but to seek alternative ways to provide water. 

"Government is aware and is responding to corruption and criminality associated with water tanker operations. In this regard National Treasury has issued a circular cautioning municipalities against long-term reliance on water tankers, which should only be used as temporary, emergency measures."