Minister of Water and Sanitation Senzo Mchunu has warned Gauteng municipalities, including the City of Tshwane, of the reckless usage and waste of water following massive water losses due to leaks, burst pipes, and an influx of informal settlements.
The three Gauteng Metropolitan Councils of Tshwane, Joburg, and Ekurhuleni were also advised to stop the mushrooming of informal settlements, which were linked to the massive “unmetered water consumption” to the detriment of the affected municipalities.
Minister Mchunu gave all Gauteng municipalities an ultimatum to improve on their water infrastructure or face his wrath.
Mchunu was speaking to the media after his consultation with various municipal bosses, including mayors, in Pretoria yesterday in which all municipalities detailed their concise plans to save water and fix leaks.
Detailing the severity of water losses in Gauteng, Mchunu said South Africa was considered to be one of the top 30 driest and water-scarce countries in the world, and, he said, water sources were mainly supported by sporadic rainfall, and this rainfall was distributed unevenly in the country and across the seasons.
