The KwaZulu-Natal Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) has raised serious concerns about ongoing financial, governance and service delivery problems at uThukela District Municipality, despite years of government intervention and support.

In a media statement following the Section 132 hearing on Friday (August 28), the committee said it had noted that uThukela has received seven consecutive qualified audit opinions, while the municipality has approximately R1.2 billion in gross consumer debt and R1.314 billion in accumulated unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure.

Water losses remain at a concerning 65%.

The committee further said that these failures directly affect communities, particularly access to reliable water and sanitation. Some communities continue to rely on water tankers where permanent infrastructure is inadequate or unavailable.

Committee demands action

The municipality has been directed to provide a transparent water tanker distribution plan showing which communities depend on tankers, how tankers are allocated, and what permanent solutions are planned.

It must also provide quarterly targets to reduce the 65% water loss and report on the compliance status of the eight wastewater areas identified by the Auditor-General.

Committee raises concerns over accounts status

Revenue management is another major concern. Of the 982 accounts investigated for recording zero water consumption, all were found to be consuming services, while 583 were incorrectly billed at zero. The committee wants details on the status of these accounts, including meters repaired, replaced or relocated; outstanding work; and measures to recover revenue lost through zero billing.

The committee has also demanded answers regarding the Ezakheni pumps, including the status of the criminal case, the current whereabouts of the pumps, and the costs of their assessment and repair.

Who is responsible for making interventions work?

A major concern raised during the hearing was the effectiveness and co-ordination of the various interventions at uThukela. These have included a Section 139 intervention, intensified Section 154 support, and a Section 63 intervention in water and sanitation.

The committee has asked CoGTA to explain the basis for moving uThukela from a Section 139 intervention to intensified Section 154 support; and to identify the single co-ordinating authority responsible for ensuring that the different interventions work together, commitments are implemented and progress is measured.

Click to receive news links via WhatsApp Channel. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Join us there!