Estimated R400bn needed to upgrade SA’s water infrastructure is unaffordable – UCT professor - EWN

A University of Cape Town (UCT) professor said the estimated R400 billion needed to upgrade South Africa's water infrastructure is unaffordable, despite the urgent need for investment.

Emeritus Professor Kevin Winter was reacting to revelations by the Department of Water and Sanitation that 107 of the country's 144 municipalities are experiencing critical or recurring water supply failures, with R400 billion required to address the crisis.

The information was disclosed in response to a parliamentary question by uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party Member of Parliament (MP) Siyabonga Mkhize, who sought clarity on the extent of water supply failures and the municipalities most affected.

Winter said the cost is unrealistic, given the country's economic growth rate of less than 1% and limited engineering capacity.