South Africa: Government, Public Sector

South Africa loses nearly half its treated water to leaks, faulty meters, and unbilled connections - a crisis costing municipalities billions annually. Performance-based contracts offer a solution by tying contractor payment to measurable water loss reduction, but implementing them requires navigating complex procurement regulations and choosing the right contracting model.

South Africa's whistleblower protection framework is undergoing significant reform through the proposed Protected Disclosures Bill, 2026, which aims to address critical gaps exposed by high-profile assassinations and the Zondo Commission findings. The new legislation promises expanded protections, criminal sanctions for retaliation, and financial rewards for whistleblowers, but will the reforms be sufficient to encourage individuals to come forward in a climate where speaking up can cost lives?

South African municipalities are losing over 46% of treated water through non-revenue water (NRW), a crisis driven by infrastructure decay, metering failures, and weak governance. Performance-based contracts (PBCs) offer a promising solution by tying private-sector payment to measurable water savings, yet regulatory complexity and risk allocation challenges have prevented their widespread adoption. This analysis examines the legal and procurement barriers that municipalities face when attempting to implemen