Water Act amendments finalised

Amendments to the Water Act and establishment of the Water Tribunal have been finalised, it was reported.

The Business Day reported that the amendments of the Act would be tabled before cabinet this year.

In the meantime, new members of the tribunal would be appointed for a limited period until the amendments were promulgated, Squire Mahlangu, director-general of the Department of Water and Environment Affairs, told Parliament's portfolio committee.

The office term of the members of the previous tribunal ended in August last year, Business Day reported. Operations of the tribunal were suspended in the middle of 2012 because it was not properly constituted.

The Water Tribunal hears appeals against directives and decisions made by responsible authorities, catchment management agencies or water management agencies about matters covered by the National Water Act, Act 36 of 1998.

These issues include issuing of licences to use water. It is an independent body and can hold hearings anywhere in the country.

Currently there is a backlog of 44 appeals awaiting a decision.

Mahlangu said the proposed amendments would substantially alter provisions related to the tribunal and bring it into line with other tribunals such as the Competition Tribunal and the Consumer Protection Tribunal, the newspaper reported.