Sputnik Ratau, spokesperson of the department. says this is part of the process that needs to come into play when the processing of water use licences is shortened. He says it will mean the department will need more capacity, especially in provinces. This comes after minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, recently announced the time it takes processing these licences are going to be shortened. OFM News's Christal-Lize Muller spoke to him...  

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He says the first step towards the application process is within a particular province where that activity is going to take place. That is why sufficient capacity in the provinces is needed to ensure once the provincial offices have dealt with the greater part of the application, which includes a recommendation of whether a licence can be issued or denied, the process can continue. He says therefore it becomes much easier to take care of the technical issues at head office where the finalisation will be. That finalisation will be based  particularity on the recommendation of the provincial office although there is always the possibility that officials at head office might find issues that can impact on the process itself.

Ratau says the issuing of water use licences within 90 days needs to be realised as quick as possible. Once the regulation has been signed off it will come into play immediately. Therefore the department will try to ensure the necessary adjustments of the regulation is finalised within the shortest possible time.  

He says it is achievable to fast-track processing of water use licences, especially if current operations are assessed. The department's regulation unit can accept applications which are assessed and a decision can be made within 82 days. Together with that the final step will take about four days and it includes post administration of the decision whether it is a letter of rejection of the application or the successful issuing of a licence. That will also include the relevant communication to the applicant. He says that implies by the time of 86 or 87 days a situation can occur where the process as pertaining to a particular application could have already passed the desk of the Director General who must sign off on that application. 

That is why the department is looking at ways needed to strengthen the capacity even more within the regulation unit.

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