A municipal water tanker valued at between R1.6 and R2m has gone missing from Mogale City Local Municipality’s fleet, raising serious concerns about asset management and the impact on communities reliant on water deliveries.

Ward councillor Amy Steyn confirmed that the tanker disappeared last week and that its absence was later acknowledged in the municipality’s 2024/ 25 Performance Service Delivery Report.

However, the report does not clarify whether the tanker was insured, whether a criminal case was opened, or who will be held accountable for the loss.

Steyn said questions remain about how a vehicle worth millions could disappear without immediate detection or proper communication to the council.

“We asked whether there was adequate security at the municipal premises and if the tanker was fitted with a GPS tracking device,” she said.

She stressed that water tankers are not a luxury but a critical resource for communities that regularly experience water shortages, adding that the loss directly affects residents who depend on daily water deliveries.

When approached for comment, Mogale’s MMC for Utilities Management Services, Peter Modise, confirmed that the tanker’s disappearance had been noted in council.

“The truck was insured and has since been replaced,” Modise said, adding that security measures would be strengthened to prevent similar incidents.