Corruption has always been the quiet killer of progress, and what we are witnessing now in South Africa's water sector is no different.

Listen to this article 8 min Listen to this article 8 min The most recent Blue, Green and No Drop reports highlight a dismal state of affairs: 46% of drinking water systems fail to meet basic health standards, 67% of wastewater treatment facilities are dysfunctional, and nearly half of all water is lost before it reaches the tap. These are not just numbers; they are a reflection of lives disrupted and rights denied.

Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Madjodina's recent remarks, suggesting that the crisis is solely a municipal problem, are emblematic of a deeper issue -- an abdication of responsibility by national leadership. While it is true that municipalities are constitutionally tasked with water services, it's disingenuous to ignore the ripple effects of national-level corruption and mismanagement.

Most municipalities in South Africa are failing to meet their basic governance and service delivery responsibilities. The Auditor-General's report highlights that only 34 out of the 257 municipalities in the country have obtained clean audits -- which represents a mere 13% of all municipalities in the country. So, leaving water and sanitation in their hands alone is not going to get us out of the problems we are facing right now....