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South Africa launches new forum to combat water sector corruption

Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina welcomes the launch of the WSACF. Image: Supplied South Africa has taken a major step in its battle against corruption with the official launch of the Water Sector Anti-Corruption Forum (WSACF). The forum is a strategic initiative to address rising corruption risks in the country's water sector and is rooted in Pillar Six of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS), which focuses on protecting vulnerable sectors through robust risk management and accountability measures. Special Investigating Unit (SIU) spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the establishment of the WSACF is a whole-of-society call to action to root out corruption in water management. 'This collaborative model strengthens accountability, closes gaps, and implements measurable and actionable prevention plans.' said Kganyago. The forum brings together an unprecedented coalition of stakeholders from government departments, municipalities, civil society, regulators, traditional leaders, and the private sector, united by the common goal of ensuring clean, transparent water governance. This initiative follows the findings of 14 Special Investigating Unit proclamations involving the Department of Water and Sanitation, with eight investigations concluded and five still active. According to the SIU, these cases highlighted the urgent need for a coordinated anti-corruption response. The WSACF is also a direct response to international and continental commitments. It aligns with the G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group's Priority Three, the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030's goals on water security, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The forum was launched shortly after South Africa assumed the chairpersonship of the Association of Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption Agencies from Ghana during a regional conference held in Cape Town. Adv. Andy Mothibi, Head of the SIU, now leads the association for the 2025–2026 term. Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, welcomed the initiative, noting that it builds on the department's existing corruption prevention strategy. 'The WSACF strengthens the collective resolve to tackle graft decisively in the water sector,' she said. The forum's key objectives include supporting sector-wide anti-corruption initiatives, improving investigative coordination, ensuring real outcomes such as prosecutions and recoveries, and promoting transparency within anti-corruption bodies themselves. The WSACF also builds on the tested success of similar sector-based forums, including those focused on health, infrastructure, local government, and border management. Independent evaluations of these forums have highlighted their role in improving accountability and delivering real results. The forum is now calling on water organisations, conservationists, academics, and community activists to join the movement. 'This is premised on the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, which envisages a whole-of-society approach,' said Kganyago. IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.