In the face of a severe water crisis that has left taps dry for weeks at a time in many parts of South Africa, a concerning development has emerged – criminal syndicates known as “tanker mafias” are thriving, exacerbating the country’s water woes. This criminal activity not only highlights the gravity of the water crisis but also underscores the pressing need for effective governance and infrastructure reform. In this article, we delve into the dire situation, its root causes, and the potential consequences of this ongoing crisis.
Several major areas in South Africa, including Gauteng’s primary metros and parts of Durban and Cape Town, have been grappling with severe water supply issues. Households are enduring days, and in some cases, weeks without a steady water supply, resulting in immense frustration and hardship for residents. As a response to the deteriorating situation, Minister of Water and Sanitation Senzo Mchunu introduced a new initiative on September 27 called “water-shifting,” similar to Eskom’s load shedding. While load shedding, climate change, capacity constraints, and wasteful residential consumption have been scapegoats for the crisis, experts assert that poor governance is the primary culprit, with authorities failing to address the worsening state of water infrastructure.
Despite poor governance being the root cause of South Africa’s water crisis, these “tanker mafias” are taking advantage of the chaos to further their interests. Dr. Anthony Turton, a water expert and professor at the University of the Free State, highlighted the situation, particularly in Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN).
Dr. Turton stated, “There is a thriving tanker mafia in KZN that actually sabotages the water infrastructure. They do this to continue and prolong their contracts with municipalities to provide water tankers across communities that need water.” What’s alarming is that these tanker operators cut corners on their water sources, as they are paid per tanker load, leading to a lack of quality control. “The water they provide to residents is taken straight from dams and rivers – not quality controlled or taken from clean water supply points,” he explained. These unscrupulous elements are thriving in an environment of chaos, further deteriorating South Africa’s water infrastructure.
It’s estimated that approximately 50% of the water supplied by bulk water providers in South Africa is lost due to leakages, theft, and failing infrastructure. Dr. Turton made a poignant observation, emphasizing that the issue isn’t water scarcity; it’s an institutional failure issue. He clarified that it’s not a national institutional failure but rather a local failure of municipalities to maintain and upgrade their water infrastructure. Local authorities have repeatedly demonstrated their inability to correct the problems despite numerous warnings and signs of failure.
Dr. Turton warned, “We can say that places like Johannesburg Water are a perfect example of state failure at a local level.” He further noted that if this issue isn’t resolved urgently, it could result in legal interventions or even a suspension of the Constitution through popular uprisings and extrajudicial means.
To forestall such dire outcomes in the short term, the government has implemented “water-shifting” to prevent the complete collapse of local water systems. “Water shifting is to the water sector as load-shedding is to the energy sector,” Dr. Turton explained. “This essentially prevents a local angry mob from taking to the streets and protesting. That is really all it does. It keeps some people happy for some of the time.” South Africa’s deteriorating water infrastructure threatens to plunge the nation into widespread social unrest if the water crisis persists.
The situation in South Africa serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of good governance and infrastructure maintenance in ensuring the well-being of a nation’s citizens. As the “tanker mafias” continue to exploit the water crisis, the urgent need for comprehensive reform becomes all the more evident. South Africa’s leaders and institutions must act decisively to address these issues and safeguard the country’s future.
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