GALOOME SHOPANE – South Africa is not facing a water crisis. The is according to Sputnik Ratau from the national department of water affairs.
Ratau says water in the country is not a luxury as the country is water stressed and is one of the 30 driest countries in the world.
Ratau blames inadequate water supply in municipalities to ageing infrastructure.
He says South Africa is also experiencing less than normal average rainfall.
Of the latest water supply protests, where one has claimed four lives to date in the North West, he says it’s always a combination of many things the communities are unhappy about.
“Yes, we do have water supply challenges in a number of places, once people don’t have water they feel disempowered, disenchanted and obviously they will take it out,” he says.
He adds that “also, when you look at the manner of the service delivery protests, you will find that water is not the central issue, but it comes one because it is a central issue to the existence of society.”
