The South African Human Rights Commission’s (SAHRC) findings on the ongoing water and sanitation challenges in Makana Local Municipality have renewed scrutiny of local governance, with calls mounting for stronger intervention and accountability.
The commission recently issued a critical assessment of conditions in the municipality, concluding that years of interventions, court proceedings and oversight measures have failed to bring meaningful improvements. Residents continue to experience inadequate access to essential water and sanitation services.
Speaking on the report, Makana Democratic Alliance caucus leader Luvuyo Sizani described the findings as a serious warning that should prompt action from both provincial and national government.
Sizani said concerns about service delivery failures in Makana have been raised repeatedly through various government platforms and departments over an extended period. He argued that the latest findings highlight what he described as negligence by municipal leadership and a lack of concern for residents affected by the crisis.
The councillor also pointed to the fact that the municipality’s mayor and municipal manager were reportedly subpoenaed twice by the SAHRC within a year but had not complied. While he said community members had hoped for stronger consequences, he noted that the commission’s recommendations are not legally binding.
According to Sizani, the municipality has been under government support measures for an extended period without producing the desired results. He referenced recommendations relating to a Section 139(1)(c) intervention, which allows for the dissolution of a municipal council under certain circumstances, but expressed doubt that provincial authorities would act on the recommendation ahead of upcoming local government elections.
The SAHRC investigation, which began in 2023, followed years of complaints about water shortages, deteriorating infrastructure and governance challenges in the municipality. Civil society organisations, residents and court processes have repeatedly raised concerns over conditions in Makana for more than a decade.
Sizani said this was not the first time that a Section 139(1)(c) intervention had been considered. He referred to a previous court ruling that sought to place the municipality under such an intervention, but said the matter was delayed through appeals.
He acknowledged that various oversight efforts had taken place over the years, including visits by national and provincial government representatives. However, he argued that the absence of consequences for municipal administrators and political leaders had allowed problems to persist.
Asked why accountability measures had not followed, Sizani suggested that political relationships may have contributed to a lack of action, although he said he could not definitively explain the reasons for the absence of consequence management.
For residents who continue to endure unreliable water supply and deteriorating services, Sizani said many have grown frustrated by years of investigations, reports and oversight processes that have produced limited change on the ground.
He argued that the next local government elections would provide residents with an opportunity to express their dissatisfaction through the ballot box.
Sizani also said Democratic Alliance representatives had consistently raised concerns within council structures and committees. He claimed that numerous questions, motions and complaints had been submitted over the years, including a criminal charge laid against the municipal manager with the South African Police Service, but alleged that responses from both the administration and political leadership had been lacking.
The SAHRC report follows extensive community submissions, oversight visits and engagements with civil society groups. Its findings have added further pressure on Makana Municipality to address longstanding service delivery failures and improve access to basic services for residents.
