The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has brought to light the significant expenditure by Gauteng municipalities on hiring water tankers, which has had a notable impact on the funds available for service delivery.
Nico De Jager MPL, the DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Infrastructure Development, has revealed that over the course of five years, Gauteng municipalities spent a substantial R2,367,014,126.30 on renting water tankers, diverting crucial financial resources that could have otherwise been allocated to improve service delivery.
DA Inquiry Uncovers Spending Details
The DA’s investigation into this matter involved posing questions to the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Mzi Khumalo, in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.
The information was subsequently unveiled through the response to these inquiries.
The breakdown of spending 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
Call for Urgent Intervention and Cost Savings
De Jager highlighted that Mogale City has recently ceased renting water tankers and has instead procured their own.
In response to these findings, the DA is urgently calling for MEC Khumalo to intervene and assist municipalities in the acquisition of their water tankers, a move aimed at reducing costs and promoting more efficient water service delivery.
De Jager emphasized the critical importance of access to clean drinking water, particularly in the context of public health during events like the Covid-19 pandemic.
He expressed the party’s commitment to advocating for cost-effective strategies that enable municipalities to allocate more financial resources to essential service delivery and reduce their reliance on outsourcing.
Balancing Essential Services and Fiscal Responsibility
The revelation of substantial spending on water tankers by Gauteng municipalities raises concerns about the allocation of financial resources.
While the provision of clean drinking water is undoubtedly vital, it is equally important for municipalities to find cost-effective ways to deliver this essential service.
The call for MEC Khumalo’s intervention underscores the need for a balance between ensuring access to clean water and prudent fiscal management.
This issue reflects broader challenges that many municipalities face in optimizing service delivery within budgetary constraints.
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