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Across South Africa, the breakdown of municipal services has escalated from mere inconvenience to an outright assault on the dignity and health of residents. The latest reports of contaminated water in Tshwane, continuous dry taps and water cuts in Johannesburg, and looming water restrictions in Cape Town highlight a countrywide system under severe stress.

While South Africa faces a monumental R400 billion water infrastructure backlog, the immediate emergency stems directly from municipal water infrastructure that is aging, falling into disrepair, and under siege from criminal elements. In many municipalities, water losses due to unaddressed leaks and poor management reach an astounding 50% or more. 

This widespread collapse is not an act of nature, it is man-made. After years of careful mismanagement, deliberate neglect, and methodically executed corruption, municipalities across the country have fallen into deep dysfunction. 

Fixing this crisis requires new leadership, a capable bureaucracy, and strong collaboration among municipal leaders, residents, civil society, and local businesses. To restore reliable water access across South Africa, RISE Mzansi commits to the following actionable steps:

·Deliver a comprehensive Water Master Plan within the first 100 days, covering upgrade, maintenance and rapid repair.

·Modernise sewer pipes and manholes, with the target of zero blockages and zero spillovers into communities and rivers.

·Set response-time standards for burst pipes measured in hours rather than weeks, and publish performance against them.

·Prioritise historically neglected areas, where dry taps are a lived reality.

·Reduce water losses through smart detection technology with mandated turnaround times

Real change begins by electing ethical, capable people to Council who understand that public service is about accountability and delivery.

Your vote on 4 November is the surest way to end municipal failure, protect public health, and ensure that clean, running water flows through every tap in South Africa.

Vote for RISE Mzansi, the party with a plan, leaders with integrity, and a vision for a safe, prosperous, equal and united South Africa.

Issued by RISE Mzansi national leader Songezo Zibi