{"id":42389,"date":"2026-07-08T14:59:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T12:59:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/afriforum.co.za\/?page_id=42389"},"modified":"2026-07-09T12:28:59","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T10:28:59","slug":"the-state-wants-to-expropriate-your-water-rights","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/afriforum.co.za\/en\/the-state-wants-to-expropriate-your-water-rights\/","title":{"rendered":"The state wants to expropriate your water rights"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kb-row-layout-id42389_21affb-8b > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id42389_21affb-8b > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id42389_21affb-8b > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:var( --global-content-width, 1290px );padding-left:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-right:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-top:75px;padding-bottom:75px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, calc(25% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem) * 1 )\/2)))minmax(0, calc(75% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem) * 1 )\/2)));}.kb-row-layout-id42389_21affb-8b > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id42389_21affb-8b > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id42389_21affb-8b > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id42389_21affb-8b alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-right-golden kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top kt-inner-column-height-full kb-theme-content-width\">\n<style>.kadence-column42389_02e509-9b > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column42389_02e509-9b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column42389_02e509-9b > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column42389_02e509-9b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column42389_02e509-9b > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column42389_02e509-9b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column42389_02e509-9b{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column42389_02e509-9b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column42389_02e509-9b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column42389_02e509-9b\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><div style=\"text-align:center;\">                \r\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/afriforum.co.za\/en\/we-will-do-it-ourselves\/landfill-sites\/#inligting\"\r\n                   style=\"\r\n                        display:block;\r\n                        margin:10px;\r\n                        vertical-align:text-bottom;\r\n                        border:2px solid #0F8160;\r\n                        padding:5px 15px;\r\n                        border-radius:50px;\r\n                        text-decoration:none;\r\n                        color:#0F8160;\r\n                        background:#FFF;\r\n                   \">\r\n                    Landfill sites                <\/a>\r\n\r\n                                \r\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/afriforum.co.za\/en\/we-will-do-it-ourselves\/water-crisis-portal\/#inligting\"\r\n                   style=\"\r\n                        display:block;\r\n                        margin:10px;\r\n                        vertical-align:text-bottom;\r\n                        border:2px solid #0F8160;\r\n                        padding:5px 15px;\r\n                        border-radius:50px;\r\n                        text-decoration:none;\r\n                        color:#0F8160;\r\n                        background:#FFF;\r\n                   \">\r\n                    Water crisis portal                <\/a>\r\n\r\n                                \r\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/afriforum.co.za\/en\/national-park\/#inligting\"\r\n                   style=\"\r\n                        display:block;\r\n                        margin:10px;\r\n                        vertical-align:text-bottom;\r\n                        border:2px solid #0F8160;\r\n                        padding:5px 15px;\r\n                        border-radius:50px;\r\n                        text-decoration:none;\r\n                        color:#0F8160;\r\n                        background:#FFF;\r\n                   \">\r\n                    National Park                <\/a>\r\n\r\n                                \r\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/afriforum.co.za\/en\/the-state-wants-to-expropriate-your-water-rights\/#inligting\"\r\n                   style=\"\r\n                        display:block;\r\n                        margin:10px;\r\n                        vertical-align:text-bottom;\r\n                        border:2px solid #0F8160;\r\n                        padding:5px 15px;\r\n                        border-radius:50px;\r\n                        text-decoration:none;\r\n                        color:#0F8160;\r\n                        background:#FFF;\r\n                   \">\r\n                    Water rights expropriation                <\/a>\r\n\r\n                                \r\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/afriforum.co.za\/en\/we-will-do-it-ourselves\/hidrobreking\/#inligting\"\r\n                   style=\"\r\n                        display:block;\r\n                        margin:10px;\r\n                        vertical-align:text-bottom;\r\n                        border:2px solid #0F8160;\r\n                        padding:5px 15px;\r\n                        border-radius:50px;\r\n                        text-decoration:none;\r\n                        color:#0F8160;\r\n                        background:#FFF;\r\n                   \">\r\n                    Fracking                 <\/a>\r\n\r\n                <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column42389_7ef281-ff > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column42389_7ef281-ff > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column42389_7ef281-ff > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column42389_7ef281-ff > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column42389_7ef281-ff > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column42389_7ef281-ff > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column42389_7ef281-ff{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column42389_7ef281-ff > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column42389_7ef281-ff > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column42389_7ef281-ff\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading42389_bf1807-6b, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading42389_bf1807-6b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading42389_bf1807-6b\"]{font-size:var(--global-kb-font-size-lg, 2rem);font-style:normal;text-transform:none;color:var(--global-palette4, #2D3748);}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading42389_bf1807-6b mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading42389_bf1807-6b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading42389_bf1807-6b\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading42389_bf1807-6b img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading42389_bf1807-6b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading42389_bf1807-6b\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h1 class=\"kt-adv-heading42389_bf1807-6b wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading42389_bf1807-6b\"><strong>The state wants to expropriate your water rights<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id42389_5232ce-84 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id42389_5232ce-84 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id42389_5232ce-84 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:var( --global-content-width, 1290px );padding-left:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-right:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-top:33px;padding-bottom:74px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id42389_5232ce-84 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id42389_5232ce-84 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id42389_5232ce-84 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id42389_5232ce-84 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top kt-inner-column-height-full kb-theme-content-width\">\n<style>.kadence-column42389_6951ff-f5 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column42389_6951ff-f5 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column42389_6951ff-f5 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column42389_6951ff-f5 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column42389_6951ff-f5 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column42389_6951ff-f5 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column42389_6951ff-f5{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column42389_6951ff-f5 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column42389_6951ff-f5 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column42389_6951ff-f5\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The state wants to expand its control over South Africa\u2019s water. The proposed amendments to the Water Act give the state greater power to decide who can use water and under what conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This bill could:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>give the state greater control over water;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>weaken the rights of existing water users;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>place more power in the hands of the minister;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>create greater uncertainty for farmers, businesses and water users, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>further put water security under pressure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">South Africa\u2019s water crisis is not caused by a lack of state power. The real problems are poor governance, dilapidated infrastructure and the government\u2019s failure to properly implement existing legislation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We say no to greater state control over water. South Africa\u2019s water resources must be protected \u2013 not placed under even greater state control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sign the petition and submit your comments before 30 July 2026. Make your voice heard.<\/p>\n\n\n<script>\nvar gform;gform||(document.addEventListener(\"gform_main_scripts_loaded\",function(){gform.scriptsLoaded=!0}),document.addEventListener(\"gform\/theme\/scripts_loaded\",function(){gform.themeScriptsLoaded=!0}),window.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){gform.domLoaded=!0}),gform={domLoaded:!1,scriptsLoaded:!1,themeScriptsLoaded:!1,isFormEditor:()=>\"function\"==typeof InitializeEditor,callIfLoaded:function(o){return!(!gform.domLoaded||!gform.scriptsLoaded||!gform.themeScriptsLoaded&&!gform.isFormEditor()||(gform.isFormEditor()&&console.warn(\"The use of gform.initializeOnLoaded() is deprecated in the form editor context and will be removed in Gravity Forms 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kt-row-valign-top kt-inner-column-height-full kb-theme-content-width\">\n<style>.kadence-column42389_37dbe8-a3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);}.kadence-column42389_37dbe8-a3 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column42389_37dbe8-a3 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column42389_37dbe8-a3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column42389_37dbe8-a3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column42389_37dbe8-a3 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column42389_37dbe8-a3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{background-color:var(--global-palette7, #EDF2F7);}.kadence-column42389_37dbe8-a3 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column42389_37dbe8-a3{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column42389_37dbe8-a3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column42389_37dbe8-a3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column42389_37dbe8-a3\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>COMMENT ON THE NATIONAL WATER AMENDMENT BILL, 2026 (B1-2026)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">I do not support the National Water Amendment Bill, 2026, in its current form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">While I support the constitutional objective of promoting equitable access to water and addressing historical inequalities, I do not believe the proposed amendments have been shown to be rationally connected to the problems they seek to solve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">I object to the proposed amendments that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\">prohibit private trading in water use entitlements and require surrendered entitlements to revert to the minister (clause 10);<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\">introduce race-based reservation of water allocations and require greater consideration of race in future water allocation decisions (clauses 12 and 13);<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\">introduce new powers to curtail existing water rights under a \u201cuse-it-or-lose-it\u201d principle (clauses 17, 18 and 19); and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\">further expand ministerial control over Water User Associations and require compulsory transformation strategies (clauses 27 and 28).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">I am concerned that the bill expands the powers of the Department of Water and Sanitation without first addressing nearly three decades of incomplete implementation of the existing National Water Act. The Department has not fully utilised the mechanisms already available to achieve equitable access to water, while acknowledging that the real barriers to meaningful participation remain land tenure, financing, infrastructure, technical support and licensing support. Instead of addressing those underlying constraints, the bill shifts towards greater state control over water use and race-based allocation mechanisms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">I believe Parliament should amend these provisions to ensure that any reform of South Africa\u2019s water law is evidence-based, rationally connected to its stated objectives, and addresses the real causes of unequal access to water before expanding the Department\u2019s powers over existing water use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">I therefore request the Portfolio Committee to substantially amend the bill before it proceeds further through the legislative process.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading42389_984aef-ce, 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