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Premier Lesufi has made a shocking statement by blaming residents for the ongoing water crisis in the province. During the 2025 State of the Province Address (SOPA), he claimed that the water shortage in Gauteng is due to residents exceeding their daily water allocations. His view not only demonstrates a profound failure to understand the real issue but a leader cowardly running away from responsibility.

"Contrary to Lesufi's flawed analysis, Gauteng's water challenges stem not from scarcity but from systematic infrastructure breakdown over the past 31 years of ANC mismanagement. The Lesotho Highlands Project remains behind schedule, plagued by missed deadlines and allegations of financial mismanagement," says Nico De Jager MPL, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Infrastructure Development. The role of Lesufi’s comrade, Nomvula Mokonyane, in delaying this project through political interference should be investigated.

"Despite full dams, water fails to reach homes due to years of neglected maintenance resulting in burst and leaking pipes. The province loses over 50% of water received from Rand Water through technical and non-technical failures – not through resident overconsumption. Municipalities must return to their core mandate: delivering essential services including water, electricity, sanitation, and roads. The National Treasury benchmark recommends spending 8% of total budgets on infrastructure maintenance and refurbishment – a standard consistently ignored," adds De Jager.

The DA Gauteng not only finds this appalling but also insulting to the citizens of this province. We urgently call for:

• A thorough provincial infrastructure audit.
• Appointment of competent water sector professionals to water boards.
• Dedicated budgets for maintenance backlogs and anti-vandalism measures.
• Reduced political interference and increased technical expertise.

"Mr Premier, you cannot shift blame to residents for the consequences of ANC mismanagement. The time has come for you to take responsibility for addressing the infrastructure mess your government created," concludes the DA shadow MEC for Infrastructure, Nico de Jager.

Issued by Nico de Jager MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC of Infrastructure