ANC, DA trade blows over water tanker spending in Tshwane
The DA in Tshwane has once again accused the ANC-led coalition of overspending on water tanker services, arguing that the city is failing to address the root causes of water shortages.
The party says the continued reliance on water tankers points to deeper problems, including ageing infrastructure and rising water losses in the metro.
The claims have sparked a war of words between the DA and the ANC, with both parties trading accusations over the management of water services and the growing cost of tanker operations in the capital city.
Last month, the party rejected the city’s adjustment budget, raising concerns about additional funding allocated to water tanker operations.
Speaking on the sidelines of a council sitting on Thursday, DA Chief Whip in the Tshwane council, Jacqui Uys, said the sharp increase in spending is alarming.
"During the last year of the DA-led coalition government, we spent less than R200 million a year on water tankers. Under this administration, that figure increased to R777 million, and the Auditor-General’s report suggests the expenditure may even have reached a billion rand.”
Uys also pointed to rising water losses in the metro, saying the problem is worsening the city’s reliance on water tankers.
"Water losses in Tshwane increased from 32% to 40%. In other words, for every 100 litres of water purchased by the city, 40 litres are lost and unaccounted for. That worsens the water crisis and increases reliance on water tankers.”
According to the DA, water tankers should be used only in limited situations, such as when water is contaminated, as seen in Hammanskraal, or when taps run dry due to infrastructure failures.
The party also raised concerns about the city’s procurement processes, alleging that some payments may have been made without proper documentation.
"Our concern is that water tanker invoices were paid without the city requisitioning that service, and without proof that the service was actually delivered,” Uys said.
The DA further criticised delays in resolving the water crisis in Hammanskraal.
The party said that during its time in government, it worked with national authorities to build a package water treatment plant on the Pienaars River at Klipdrift, constructed by Magalies Water.
However, it claims the project stalled after the ANC-led coalition took over the city.
"Before the city could connect the reticulation system to the plant to supply residents with clean water, the ANC-led coalition took over. As we stand here today, that project is still not complete,” Uys said.
But the ANC has rejected the DA’s claims, saying the opposition party is trying to shift blame.
ANC spokesperson Joel Masilela ka Mahlangu said the reliance on water tankers began during the DA’s time in government.
"Why should we be held accountable for decisions that were taken by the DA? It was their government that went on to increase the number of water tankers,” Masilela said.
He insisted that the current administration is working to reduce the use of water tankers while investing in permanent infrastructure.
"We have taken a conscious decision that we are not going to rely on water tankers. We are investing in permanent infrastructure so that the reliance on water tankers becomes a thing of the past,” he said.
Masilela added that water tankers are currently being used mainly to supply informal settlements on scheduled days while longer-term solutions are implemented.
"Water tankers are now servicing informal settlements three days a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, while we work on building permanent infrastructure,” he said.
The ANC also dismissed the DA’s allegations as politically motivated, saying the party is attempting to defend officials appointed during its time in government.
Masilela said any allegations of corruption involving municipal officials would be dealt with once relevant reports are tabled before the council.
"We are not going to stop exposing corruption. Any official who is found to be pillaging the resources of the city will face consequences,” he said.
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