Mounting water debt threatens Services in NC
The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation, Leon Basson, has raised alarm over the growing municipal debt to South Africa’s water boards—now standing at R22 billion—warning that the crisis could cripple water supply, particularly in vulnerable provinces like the Northern Cape.
Speaking at a media briefing in Parliament on Monday, Basson said the debt has soared by 151% since 2019, threatening the financial stability of key water boards. The committee highlighted that the escalating debt endangers the entire water service chain, with regions like the Northern Cape, Free State, and North West facing the greatest risk of disruption.
To address the crisis, the committee supports a government proposal to deduct funds from defaulting municipalities' revenue allocations until debts are settled. The Northern Cape, already grappling with water access challenges, stands to suffer significantly if immediate corrective action is not taken.
