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SAHRC calls for national disaster over ongoing water crisis

Aging infrastructure and poor planning fuel water crisis

By Thembi Siaga • 12 February 2026
SAHRC calls for national disaster over ongoing water crisis

The SAHRC urges the South African government to declare the widespread water crisis a national disaster, citing its impact on human rights and essential services. This declaration would unlock emergency funding and improve coordination to address failing infrastructure and mismanagement.

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) issued a press release today calling on the government to declare the ongoing water crisis a national disaster. Residents of Louis Trichardt and the surrounding areas are well aware of the crisis amid the Vhembe District Municipality’s struggle to keep the taps running and water in the pipelines.

The commission says communities across the country are struggling to access water. Water is a basic human right under Section 27 of the Constit...

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