The Department of Water and Sanitation has issued Government Notice No. 8111, published in Government Gazette No. 55638 on 30 October 2026, requiring water users within the Kaap River Catchment in Mpumalanga to apply for water use licences as part of the compulsory licensing process.

The notice applies to water users in quaternary catchments X23A to X23H and covers the taking of surface and groundwater, water storage, and streamflow reduction activities, including afforestation.

All affected water users, including existing lawful water users, holders of General Authorisations and holders of qualifying existing water use licences, are required to submit licence applications within 90 consecutive days from the date of publication of the notice.

Applications must be submitted electronically through the Department’s Electronic Water Use Licence Application and Authorisation System (e-WULAAS). No printed applications will be accepted.

The Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Management Agency (IUCMA) will also provide application assistance through support clinics in Barberton on 17–19 November 2026 and 19–22 January 2027.

Water users are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the notice, prepare the required supporting documentation and ensure that their applications are submitted within the prescribed period.

For detailed information on the application requirements, supporting documentation, payment details and assistance available, please refer to the full Government Gazette notice below.