Residents of Mkhambathini in KwaZulu-Natal have raised concerns about having to purchase water from contracted water tanker drivers.

Concerned about the issue, Tanki Tsoananyana, a Democratic Alliance councillor in the uMgungundlovu District Municipality, wrote to the Municipal Manager, Dr Xolani Muthwa, to request an urgent investigation and action following allegations of tanker drivers illegally selling water to destitute communities. 

Tsoananyana requested that Muthwa publicise clear mechanisms for residents to report any misconduct by water tanker operators without fear of reprisal.

“According to residents of Mkhambathini, this issue has reportedly persisted for years, with the uMgungundlovu District Municipality appearing complacent and disinterested in addressing this gross violation of human rights,” he said. 

Tsoananyana said that in one of the wards, they allege that they are forced to wait for more than a week for a single public JoJo tank to be filled.

He said that this tank serves a wide area, including neighbouring communities, resulting in a demand that far outstrips the current supply.

Tsoananyana intends to table a motion requesting the municipal manager to launch a full-scale investigation into these claims and to take decisive action against any individuals found to be implicated.

“The illegal sale of water is not merely a procedural breach; it is an act that directly undermines the municipality’s mandate to provide basic services and inflicts significant hardship on our most vulnerable residents. It is a source of great frustration and distress for community members who wait patiently for water, only to be bypassed or extorted,” he said. 

Muthwa said the municipality did not own water tankers, and if there was any misconduct, the contracted company would be informed to take further action against its employees. 

In September 2024, the uMgungundlovu District Municipality put out a tender for the provision of water tanker services for three years. An estimated 35 trucks were required to deliver water to  JoJo tanks within six local municipalities scattered throughout Mgungundlovu District, seven days a week.

Contractors were also informed that water is required to be delivered to individual community groupings or informal settlements.

Commenting on the illegal sale of water on Facebook and the call for a probe into the matter, Wendy White said: “I am very glad to see this. My employee lives in the Edendale South area and has had no water at her house all year. She pays a council employee driving a council tanker, R3,000 a month, to fill her JoJo. The excuse is that she has to pay because he delivers to her on a Saturday when she is not working.”

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za

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