By Celani Sikhakhane
- Deputy Minister David Mahlobo says dodgy contractors use broken tanks but still cash in with fake invoices.
- Some drivers only deliver water to their girlfriends’ homes, says Mahlobo.
Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation David Mahlobo has criticised KwaZulu-Natal municipalities for relying on private water tank tenders, saying it’s time they bought their own.
Mahlobo said tenders are making things worse in poor communities, with some contractors accused of destroying infrastructure just to get business.
“We are worried about the tenderising of water tanks. It has caused many problems in many communities,” said Mahlobo during the official handover of the Machibini water scheme’s first phase in Jozini, under the uMkhanyakude District.
He said some contractors send old water tanks that break down and fail to deliver any water, but the owners still demand full payment.
“You will find that the tank breaks down and doesn’t deliver water when needed. But the owner still comes and claims an exorbitant invoice without providing anything,” he said.
He also blasted the behaviour of some water tank drivers.
“Some of them use the tanks to date women, they only deliver water to their girlfriends’ homes. That’s gross misconduct,” he said.
Mahlobo pointed to uThukela and eThekwini as examples of municipalities where service providers have allegedly destroyed infrastructure to force officials to hire their tanks.
He also revealed that a political fight nearly broke out over water from the Jozini Dam. Zululand District reportedly refused to share a portion of water, despite a R2-billion allocation, with neighbouring uMkhanyakude through the Mandlakazi Scheme.
“We had to step in and withdraw that R2-billion because people in Mkhanyakude weren’t going to get water while others enjoyed full access,” Mahlobo said.
uMkhanyakude District Mayor Siphile Mdaka said the success of the Machibini scheme is spreading to other parts of Jozini, including Majozini.
“We want to make sure the whole district is free from water shortages,” he said.
Pictured above: A water tanker.
Image source: Facebook
