Will Cyril Ramaphosa’s R54bn water plan sink or swim?

A governance expert says that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s National Water Crisis Committee is not going to yield substantial results because what is required is consequence management, not centralisation. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s R54 billion six-year performance-linked incentive meant to fix water, sanitation, and electricity services in South Africa’s municipalities is likely to be another bailout that disappears into a black hole, a governance expert says. During his 2026 State of the Nation Address, Ramaphosa announced a new R54 billion incentive for metros to reform their water, sanitation, and electricity services to ensure that revenue from water and electricity is invested in upgrading and maintaining water and electricity infrastructure.

He said the National Water Crisis Committee, which he will personally chair, will deploy technical experts and resources from the national government to municipalities facing water challenges and coordinate all water supply interventions. Ramaphosa also stated that criminal charges have been laid against 56 municipalities that have failed to meet their water obligations. He said thatcriminal charges will be laid against municipal managersin their personal capacity for violating the National Water Act in instances of failure to provide water to communities. South Africa is currently grappling with water supply issues and crumbling infrastructure, and this has led to multiple protests by angry residents.