DA Calls for Chris Hani to Be Priority in National Water Crisis Plan

The Democratic Alliance (DA) says the Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) must be prioritised by President Cyril Ramaphosa’s newly established Water Crisis Committee, as water supply challenges continue to affect residents in Komani and surrounding towns.

In a statement issued on 17 February 2026, DA MPL and Enoch Mgijima Constituency Leader Chantel King said CHDM should be a focus area for the national intervention, which was announced by the President during his recent State of the Nation Address.

Call for National Intervention

King said the district municipality, which serves as the water services authority for Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality, has faced ongoing challenges in delivering adequate and reliable water to communities.

According to the statement, the DA has for several years raised concerns about CHDM’s performance as a water services provider. King confirmed that she has formally requested that the matter be placed before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA).

She further indicated that she has written to Eastern Cape CoGTA MEC Zolile Williams, urging direct engagement between the provincial department and the newly established National Water Crisis Committee.

The President, in his address, said water outages are often a symptom of local government systems that are not functioning effectively, adding that in some areas administrations are weakened by a lack of technical capacity.

Infrastructure Backlog and Funding Needs

The statement notes that CHDM requires an estimated R1.65 billion to address its water infrastructure backlog. This includes upgrades, repairs and expansion of existing systems to meet current demand and improve reliability.

The DA argues that the formation of the National Water Crisis Committee presents an opportunity for CHDM to table a structured recovery plan and secure both technical expertise and financial support from national government.

King said decisive intervention is required to ensure that the district municipality fulfils its mandate as a water services authority and restores stability to the system.

Impact on Enoch Mgijima Residents

Water supply interruptions have been a recurring concern in parts of Komani, Ezibeleni and other areas within the district. Residents have at times reported extended outages and inconsistencies related to billing.

The DA maintains that failure to resolve these issues will result in continued hardship for households and businesses dependent on stable water supply.

The party has called on the provincial government to prioritise residents’ needs and proactively seek sustainable, long-term solutions through cooperation with national structures.

Political Context

The statement forms part of the DA’s ongoing oversight of service delivery within the district. It concludes with the party reiterating its position that stronger governance and technical capacity are needed to address infrastructure challenges in the region.