According to the Department of Water and Sanitation, a joint awareness campaign against vandalism of water and sanitation infrastructure will continue in the Western Cape.
The National Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), in collaboration with local authorities, is leading an anti-vandalism awareness campaign throughout the Western Cape province, according to a statement released by the department on Thursday.
“In a joint initiative to raise public awareness about the impact theft and vandalism have on water and sanitation infrastructure, thus on essential services to communities,” the department said.
The campaign, which was introduced in Fisantekraal on May 27, 2022, aims to emphasise the important part that all parties—including the public and various spheres of government—must play in preserving this vital infrastructure and the service providers who rely on it.
Simpiwe Mashicila, the Western Cape’s Director of Infrastructure for Water and Sanitation, issued a warning that vandalism of essential services compromises the ability of local municipalities to carry out their primary responsibility, which is to provide essential services to citizens.
Mashicila stated, “In the past few months, the destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure has reached alarming levels, and attacks against water service delivery officers of the City of Cape Town continue to undercut efforts to provide services to our underserved communities.
The West Coast hosted the most recent phase of the campaign.
The issue of vandalism of water and sanitation infrastructure was identified as one of the major issues in the provision of basic services during a working session with all Water Service Authorities of the Western Cape late last year, led by Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu.
The Bitou Local Municipality will host the campaign’s next stop in August.
Over the course of six months, the joint anti-vandalism awareness campaign is anticipated to be implemented throughout the City of Cape Town and its surrounding districts.