Date: 2025-07-15 16:30:38
Mayor Xaba Calls For Tightening Of Controls In Water Tankering Services To Safeguard Water Supply For Communities
ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
15 JULY 2025
EThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba has called on all Municipal officials to urgently tighten controls in the management of private water tankers including the processing of outstanding legitimate invoices, to ensure uninterrupted water supply to communities supplied by water tankers.
The directive comes after the Mayor received complaints from the public about non-availability of water tankers in areas in the north such as Ntuzuma and Umzinyathi.
The temporary suspension of services by private water tanker providers is due to delayed payments.
“While the City has embarked on a process of procuring its own water tankers, the private tankers still play a critical role in supplementing the City-owned fleet of 299 tankers, especially in areas experiencing intermittent water supply. The processing of invoices may seem like a routine administrative task, but for many communities, it is the difference between having access to water or going without. Water is life, and we must ensure that no community is left languishing without it,” said Mayor Xaba.
The City acknowledges that the delays were primarily due to budgetary constraints toward the end of the 2024/2025 financial year.
In response, the Municipality is implementing a comprehensive review of its internal financial workflows.
This includes the introduction of real-time tracking systems and enhanced coordination between departments to ensure that all legitimate invoices are processed and paid within agreed timelines.
The City’s long-term objective remains that of ensuring the provision of a continuous and reliable water supply, with water tankers being used only in emergency situations.
ENDS
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