Issued by: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ON WATER LAW PRINCIPLES RELEASED 19 APRIL 1996
The Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, Prof Kader Asmal, MP, released a discussion document today entitled "Water Law Principles". This document will form the basis of discussion at workshops that will be held throughout South Africa, commencing in Northern Province on 30 and 31 May 1996. The document is a follow-up on the document titled "Fundamental Principles for a New Water Law in South Africa" and which was a report to the Minister from the Water Law Review Panel and which was released by Prof Asmal in February this year.
A significant proposal with immediate implications is the principle F.1. which suggests that existing water rights should be protected, provided that the water is not needed for basic human needs or the environment. If it is necessary to reduce or take away an existing water right compensation should be paid. However, it is further suggested that existing rights should exclude rights which remain unquantified and unexercised at the time of the first publication of these principles. The rationale for this, is to discourage speculative development initiated in order to entrench new rights or to attract compensation.
Copies of the document can be obtained from:
Director-General Department of Water Affairs and Forestry Private Bag X313 PRETORIA 0001
The document will also be available in Xhosa, Zulu, Afrikaans, North Sotho and South Sotho from the end of April 1996.
ENQUIRIES: Ms Linda Garlipp TEL: (012) 299 2527 E-MAIL ADDRESS www.polity.org.za/water