Gauteng Municipalities Spend Billions on Water Tankers

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has brought attention to the considerable expenditure by Gauteng municipalities on water tanker rentals. This practice has had a notable impact on funds available for service delivery as reported by TDPel Media.

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Nico De Jager MPL, the DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Infrastructure Development, uncovered that over five years, Gauteng municipalities spent a substantial R2,367,014,126.30 on renting water tankers. This diversion of financial resources could have otherwise been channelled towards enhancing service delivery.

The DA’s inquiry into this matter involved submitting questions to the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Mzi Khumalo, within the Gauteng Provincial Legislature. The responses to these queries unveiled the spending details.

The breakdown of expenses on rented water tankers by various municipalities since 2018 is as follows:

• Rand West – R0.00
• Mogale City – R260,285,713.84
• Merafong – R9,365,748.41
• Lesedi Local Municipality – R3,732,400.00
• Joburg – R306,381,951.36
• City of Ekurhuleni – R135,326,540.44
• Tshwane – R1,661,287,520.65

Drawing attention to the matter, De Jager noted that Mogale City has transitioned from renting water tankers to acquiring their own. In light of these findings, the DA urgently calls for MEC Khumalo’s intervention to assist municipalities in procuring their own water tankers. This approach aims to reduce costs and enhance water service efficiency.

De Jager underscored the significance of clean drinking water, particularly concerning public health during events like the Covid-19 pandemic. The party’s commitment lies in advocating for cost-effective strategies that allow municipalities to allocate more funds to essential service delivery and reduce their dependence on outsourcing.

The revelation of substantial spending on water tanker rentals raises concerns about allocating financial resources. While clean water provision is crucial, municipalities must identify cost-effective approaches to deliver this essential service. The call for MEC Khumalo’s intervention underscores the need to balance ensuring water access with prudent fiscal management.

This issue reflects the broader challenge that many municipalities face in optimising service delivery within the constraints of their budgets.

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Photo: Facebook / @DA Rainbow Network – Gauteng