Inquiry into water and sanitation moves into first gear

The parliamentary inquiry into allegations of maladministration, corruption and malfeasance at the department of water and sanitation, previously headed by Nomvula Mokonyane, is ready to proceed.

On the 14 March the portfolio committee on water and sanitation as well as the standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) decided to institute the inquiry based on the recommendations of the committee’s Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report (BRRR) adopted by the National Assembly in November 2017.

Portfolio committee chairperson Lulu Johnson this afternoon suggested to The Citizen that all queries related to alleged corruption at water entities that report to the ministry of water and sanitation, currently under Gugile Nkwinti’s leadership, will in all likelihood be covered during the inquiry.

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“We would not like to pre-empt the outcome by making pronouncements and offering a comment on the many allegations,” Johnson said.

Johnson said the joint committee will be constituted of 12 members from the water and sanitation committee and 14 members from Scopa. In action to uncover the alleged corruption which has resulted in the department being bankrupt will be MPs such as Vincent Smith, Ntombovuyo Mente, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, Mnyamezeli Booi, Makoti Khawula and Mosebenzi Zwane, with Themba Godi co-chairing.

“The joint committee will be ready to start the inquiry as soon as we have concluded the scope of the inquiry, areas of investigations and terms of reference. We may or may not differ from the work done on SABC and Eskom as we will be guided by members of both committees during our meeting next week,” Johnson concluded.

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