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It has now been more than three months since the Director-General of Water Affairs, Ms Pam Yako, was placed on special leave by Minister Buyelwa Sonjica. This decision was made pending an investigation into allegations of financial irregularities and mismanagement in the Department. At the time of Ms Yako's suspension on 21 July 2009 the DA welcomed the new Minister's commitment to clean and efficient government, and we urged the Minister to conduct a rigorous audit. But in three months it should now be clear whether Ms Yako transgressed any provisions of public finance management, or is indeed guilty of any other misconduct. Efficient government also means acting speedily to ensure matters are resolved. Ms Yako has in the interim been earning a full salary, while an acting DG has been running the Department. The challenges of the water sector in South Africa are substantial. The effects of climate change, illegal water use, and an almost R70bn backlog in the maintenance and building of new infrastructure require a permanent water champion at the top of the Department. We cannot allow the Department to be in a state of limbo. It is imperative that the investigation into Ms Yako is now concluded, and if indeed there have been transgressions, then disciplinary action must be brought against her. Minister Sonjica, must in the interim, make a statement on the matter, so that the public knows where the process is at this stage. The Democratic Alliance will submit a parliamentary question this week to get the Minister on record, and to establish why this matter has taken so long to resol