On Thursday (March 5), the Pietermaritzburg High Court handed down an order declaring the relevant findings of the Blitz Forensics report against RASP Consultants invalid and setting them aside.

This included recommendations that RASP Consultants should be included in the list of blacklisted suppliers by the National Treasury.

They also recommended that the municipality should ensure criminal proceedings are initiated pursuant to Section 34 of PRECCA Act no. 12 of 2004, leveraging the available evidence of maladministration and fraud uncovered during this investigation.

To add to uThukela’s woes, Minister of Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Velenkosini Hlabisa will make an urgent oversight visit to uThukela District Municipality on Monday (March 9) following a deepening financial crisis that threatens not just service delivery but the possible collapse of the municipality.

DA response

DA Councillor Thys Janse van Rensburg has also called for clarity from Municipal Manager Mr Jili following the High Court’s decision.

Janse van Rensburg questioned what steps the municipality will now take in light of the judgment and whether the administration will reconsider its position regarding RASP Consultants.

He further urged the municipality to prioritise restoring water services and ensure that decisions relating to service providers are made in the best interests of residents who continue to face ongoing water supply challenges.

Statement issued by RASP Consultants

The community of uThukela will recall that in early 2025, the Department of Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) initiated a section 106 forensic investigation into the affairs of uThukela District Municipality. As part of that investigation, a report was compiled by Blitz Forensics that contained allegations against RASP Consultants.

RASP Consultants subsequently approached the High Court to challenge the findings contained in that report.

On March 5, 2026, the High Court of South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal Division, Pietermaritzburg, handed down an order declaring the relevant findings of the Blitz Forensics report invalid and setting them aside.

This judgment effectively clears RASP Consultants of the allegations contained in the forensic report.

As a public representative who regularly engages with communities affected by water supply challenges, I welcome the clarity brought by the court’s decision. Our communities deserve competent and experienced service providers who can assist in restoring and maintaining critical water infrastructure.

Going forward, it is my sincere hope that the leadership of uThukela District Municipality will focus on practical solutions that prioritise the interests of our residents. Where capable local expertise exists, it should be utilised in the best interests of ensuring a reliable and consistent supply of water to our communities.

Access to water is a basic human right, and the people of our region deserve stability and service delivery without unnecessary delays or disputes.

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