The inaugural meeting of the Water Sector Anti-Corruption Forum (WSACF) marks a critical step in fighting corruption.

The WSACF is a strategic intervention aimed at developing tailored solutions to address corruption risks in the water sector.

By adopting a risk-based approach, the forum will focus on investigation, prevention, and enforcement to safeguard South Africa’s water resources, which are essential for sustainable development.

The key ambitions include supporting anti-corruption initiatives in the water sector; fostering collaboration among stakeholders to combat corruption effectively; coordinating law enforcement efforts to enhance investigative capacity; ensuring tangible outcomes, including prosecutions, civil recoveries, and administrative actions; implementing prevention measures to mitigate fraud and corruption risks; and promoting accountability within anti-corruption agencies through multi-stakeholder oversight.

The establishment of the forum follows the findings from 14 Special Investigating Unit (SIU) proclamations related to the Department of Water and Sanitation, and with eight investigations completed and five still active, the need for a coordinated anti-corruption response in water management has never been clearer, the SIU said in a statement.

The WSACF is based on Pillar Six of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, which aims to reduce corruption and unethical behaviour in the sectors most at risk by implementing effective risk management strategies and establishing consequences for non-compliance.

The initiative also aligns with Priority Three of the G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group, which seeks to enhance and mobilise the inclusive participation of the public sector, private sector, civil society and academia to prevent and combat corruption.

The forum brings together a broad coalition of stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies; Chapter 9 Iinstitutions; civil society organisations and water activists; private-sector representatives; the public sector; regulators; traditional and religious leaders; organised labour; and water conservation and environmental groups.

“This collaborative model strengthens accountability, closes gaps and implements measurable and actionable prevention plans. Importantly, the forum will also hold anti-corruption agencies accountable, ensuring transparency and effectiveness in their operations,” the unit explained.

The WSACF builds on the success of other sector-specific anti-corruption forums, including the health sector; infrastructure and built environment; local government; and border management and immigration anti-corruption forums.

“An independent evaluation of these forums confirmed their effectiveness, noting their role in improving transparency and accountability across institutions, including anti-corruption bodies. Recommendations have been made to improve case turnaround times, expand stakeholder participation and enhance prevention initiatives—key lessons applied to the WSACF.”

The WSACF calls on water organisations, conservation groups, activists, academia and community stakeholders to participate in this critical initiative. This is premised on the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, which envisages a whole-of-society approach in the fight against corruption.