Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

07 April 2026

2-minute read

South Africa’s water and sanitation infrastructure is rapidly deteriorating, prompting the South African Human Rights Commission to issue a warning of a natural disaster in the making and calling for urgent government intervention.

In an interview with Ml Sulaimaan Ravat, Commissioner from the SAHRC Henk Boshoff explained the reports that assesses wastewater treatment systems in the country. The Minister for Water and Sanitation released the Green Drop, the Blue Drop and the No Drop Reports on March 31^st in order to assess performance of water services across various municipalities.

The reports cover drinking water quality, wastewater management treatment, water conservation and demand management. Boshoff says that the reports are also “a helpful tool” for the SAHRC to exercise their “oversight responsibility” in holding the different authorities and departments responsible.

From the Green Drop report, it is clear that “49% of water-treatment works in South Africa are in a critical, critical state,” he lamented. If wastewater treatment is “not managed competently, effectively, efficiently,” it will impact on the environment and risk affecting the health of all South Africans.

Many municipalities in South Africa are subject to inferior quality drinking water. According to Boshoff, it is imperative that we hold water-services authorities, municipalities and government accountable so that the health of the public is not compromised. The people must demand that adequate services be provided.

The SAHRC have tabled reports for the various municipalities on a regular basis and another inquiry into water provision will be taking place in May. Communities and civil societies “should continue to hold government accountable,” Boshoff concludes.

Listen to the full interview with Ml Sulaimaan Ravat and Henk Boshoff here.