Cape Town – The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina to disclose what criminal cases have been opened against alleged water tanker mafias accused of sabotaging infrastructure to maintain emergency water contracts.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, DA spokesperson on Water and Sanitation Stephen Moore said the party had written to Majodina seeking details of cases allegedly linked to the sabotage of water pipes and pumps.
The DA’s demand follows a written parliamentary reply by Majodina, which the party says confirmed that organised groups were sabotaging water infrastructure to sustain the water-tanker business.
Moore said the alleged conduct required a focused law-enforcement response.
“If she admits to Parliament she knows they’re doing it, she is responsible for criminal action to be secured,” Moore said.
The DA wants Majodina to disclose how many cases her department has referred to law-enforcement agencies, what the cases involve and their current status.
Today I visited the Jukskei Park sewage pump station after a resident alerted me to a serious problem.
All three pumps appeared to be off, while a massive volume of raw sewage was pouring from a nearby manhole into the Klein Jukskei River, and from there into the Jukskei.
What… pic.twitter.com/v5dsgOwLUy
— Stephen J Moore MP (@StephenMooreMP) September 10, 2026
“Why have there been no arrests?” Moore asked.
The party also questioned the role of the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), of which the Department of Water and Sanitation is a member, saying the public had not been given details about referrals or arrests.
The allegations come amid broader government efforts to tackle organised crime and corruption in the water sector.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said in August that government was combating corruption and criminality in the water sector, including the activities of water tanker mafias.
Majodina has also previously identified organised criminality, water tankering and extortion mafias, vandalism of critical infrastructure and corruption among the challenges affecting water service delivery.
In May, the department announced the establishment of a National Water Sector Anti-Corruption Forum, involving law enforcement, government, the private sector and civil society, to coordinate efforts to prevent, detect and respond to corruption in the sector.
The DA said tackling alleged water tanker mafia activity was also included in the government’s National Water Action Plan.
Moore said the government needed to demonstrate that commitments in the plan were being implemented.
“Arrests and prosecutions will stop the sabotage, not delays,” he said.
The DA has called on Majodina to publicly account for the number of cases referred to law enforcement and provide an update on their progress.
The minister’s department has not, in the statement provided by the DA, been given an opportunity to respond to the party’s latest allegations.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
