Deputy Minister Mahlobo Vows Firm Action Against Water Mafia Sabotaging South Africa’s Infrastructure
Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo has reaffirmed government’s commitment to tackling the growing challenge of water infrastructure sabotage and criminal activities of the so-called “water mafia”, who continue to violate citizens’ constitutional right to water access.
In a strong address during a webinar hosted by the South African Human Rights Commission on Tuesday, 29 July 2025, Mahlobo described the destruction, vandalism and extortion within the water sector as acts of “economic sabotage that preys on the most vulnerable and obstructs the country’s developmental goals”. He pointed out how criminal syndicates, often working with dishonest people, deliberately damage water supply systems such as pump stations, pipelines and valves. These groups then make money by selling water through tankers at high prices, leaving communities without reliable access to this basic need.
The webinar, themed “Sabotage of Essential Water Infrastructure and Water Mafias: What Can Be Done?”, brought together experts, officials and community leaders to discuss ways to fight these problems. Mahlobo explained that these criminal acts not only break down infrastructure but also put public health at risk, increase costs for municipalities due to repeated repairs, and harm the dignity of people in affected areas. He stressed that the issue has caused water outages from the theft of key parts like pipes, cables and meters, and it is spreading from cities to rural parts of the country.
Widespread Impact of Water Mafia Activities
The water mafia has become a major threat across South Africa, with reports showing how these groups create fake water shortages to benefit from contracts. For example, in the Eastern Cape, during recent floods in Mthatha, aid workers faced threats from alleged water mafia members who tried to stop relief efforts. Humanitarian groups had to call for arrests after their teams were intimidated while delivering water to flood-hit residents. This shows how these syndicates take advantage of disasters to keep their illegal businesses going.
In other areas like Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, syndicates have been linked to deliberate attacks on infrastructure. Premier Panyaza Lesufi has spoken about clear syndicates targeting water systems, similar to issues with electricity and rail networks. Some experts say these groups have ties to political organisations and use sabotage to win tenders for water tankers or repairs. Municipalities end up spending billions on hired tankers, even when they own trucks that sit unused. In Buffalo City Metro, over R48 million was spent on outsourced tankers since 2021, while their own vehicles were not used, raising questions about waste and possible corruption.
The problem also includes wastewater treatment plants, where mafia groups branch out to create more opportunities for profit. In Emfuleni Local Municipality, sewage pollution in the Vaal River System has been a long-standing issue, with raw sewage running into streets and homes. Criminals damage systems to force emergency fixes, which they then bid on. A recent report highlighted how R9 million was paid to a consulting firm with no proof of work done, while water tanker mafias keep sabotaging to stay in business.
Nationwide, nearly half of South Africa’s water does not bring in revenue because of leaks, illegal connections and theft. This has led to warnings that water shortages could become worse than load-shedding if not stopped soon. In urban centres like Johannesburg and Durban, communities face dry taps for days, forcing people to buy expensive bottled water or rely on unsafe sources. Rural areas are hit hard too, where farmers and villagers struggle with damaged boreholes and pipes.
Government’s Response and Collaborative Efforts
Mahlobo warned that the government will take strong, coordinated steps with law enforcement and all levels of government to catch and punish those involved. “We will not tolerate the deliberate sabotage of our water infrastructure. These criminal acts are an attack on our constitutional democracy and our commitment to human rights,” he said. He promised no delay in acting against the guilty, adding that the state is closing gaps for criminals through police work, community involvement and full use of government bodies.
He highlighted the need for communities to help protect infrastructure by reporting odd activities, joining education drives and promoting whistleblowing to uncover criminal networks and corruption in the water sector. Mahlobo repeated the call for a culture of whistleblowing, saying people with information on these groups or corrupt deals must speak up, as their help is key to ending deep-rooted crime.
The deputy minister outlined the department’s full plan, including carrying out decisions from the 2025 National Water and Sanitation Indaba. These focus on strategies to guard infrastructure, public awareness campaigns and teaming up with police. Municipalities are starting to use new technology like cameras, remote sensors and smart systems to spot and stop sabotage early.
This comes after similar strong words from Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina in her July 2025 budget speech, where she listed organised crime, water tankering and extortion mafia, vandalism and poor systems as big threats. She vowed firm action against vandalism and sabotage, echoing calls to treat these acts as serious crimes, possibly under laws against terrorism due to their impact on the nation.
The South African Human Rights Commission has also stepped up, releasing a comprehensive policy brief in June 2025 to deal with water mafias and systemic sabotage. The brief looks into how criminals target water services for profit, often through repair contracts after damage. It sets out legal ways to fight this, urging the use of laws and policies to protect water as a human right. The commission noted the rise in these crimes and called for better protection of infrastructure to stop the cycle of destruction and extortion.
Broader Implications and Calls for Unity
These issues go beyond just water supply; they affect health, the economy and social stability. Sabotage leads to higher costs for repairs, which strain municipal budgets and slow down development projects. In places like Clarens in the Free State, maintenance on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project has been assessed amid fears of mafia interference. The project, which supplies water to key areas, faced a planned outage, but criminal groups tried to exploit it by creating extra shortages.
Experts warn that without quick action, South Africa could face severe water crises, especially with climate change adding pressure. The Water Research Commission has been working on solutions, but there are concerns about outside influences pushing for private partnerships that might favour profits over people.
Mahlobo called on all South Africans, including civil society, workers’ groups, water activists, conservation organisations and traditional leaders, to join forces against sabotage. “All acts of theft, vandalism or extortion should be reported without delay to local law enforcement or municipal security authorities,” he urged.
He ended by reaffirming that water access is a basic human right that “must never be held hostage by criminals”. “Water is life, and no criminal syndicate will be allowed to hijack the public’s right to it. We are acting decisively, and we urge every South African to be part of the solution. We must defend this resource together. Through strong partnerships, community vigilance and courageous whistleblowing, we will protect our water and secure our future,” Mahlobo said.
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