South Africa will require an estimated R400 billion to restore and modernise its ageing water infrastructure, with the work expected to take years to complete, according to Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina.
The minister made the remarks during an oversight visit to the newly developed Seshego Water Treatment Plant outside Polokwane in Limpopo, where she highlighted both the scale of the country’s infrastructure challenges and ongoing investment in water security.
The Seshego facility, funded through the Department of Water and Sanitation’s Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant at a cost of R234 million, currently produces around 5.9 million litres of treated water each day. The plant supplies clean water to approximately 91,500 residents living in Seshego and neighbouring communities.
Majodina acknowledged that South Africa continues to experience water shortages in many areas but said regional cooperation remains an important part of long-term water security.
She noted that countries within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have strengthened cross-border cooperation on shared water resources, with South Africa continuing to work with neighbouring countries such as Zimbabwe and Lesotho.
Water Infrastructure Challenges Extend Beyond Supply
While government continues investing in new infrastructure, municipalities are also confronting criminal activity linked to water distribution.
Polokwane Local Municipality Executive Mayor John Mpe warned that organised groups commonly referred to as “water tanker mafias” have become an increasing concern in parts of Limpopo.
According to Mpe, recent inspections carried out alongside Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba uncovered individuals allegedly stealing municipal water and selling it illegally in developing communities, including Mankweng and Seshego.
Several criminal cases have since been opened, with some already progressing through the court system.
Mpe appealed to residents to cooperate with authorities by reporting illegal water theft and activities that undermine municipal water services.
Government Accelerates Infrastructure Investment
The latest announcement comes as Limpopo continues implementing large-scale water infrastructure projects aimed at improving long-term service delivery.
The African National Congress (ANC) in Limpopo said projects worth approximately R25 billion are currently being rolled out across the province to improve water access and strengthen infrastructure resilience.
Provincial ANC Secretary Vhamusanda Reuben Madadzhe said the party has instructed its Rapid Response Task Team together with Premier Ramathuba to intervene in projects that have experienced prolonged delays in order to accelerate delivery.
South Africa’s water infrastructure has faced growing pressure for years because of ageing pipelines, maintenance backlogs, rapid urbanisation and increasing demand. Government has repeatedly identified infrastructure investment as one of the country’s key priorities to improve reliable access to safe drinking water while supporting long-term economic development.
Source: Department of Water and Sanitation; Polokwane Local Municipality