The Tshwane Metro’s Department of Housing’s failure to properly oversee contracted water tankers is possibly costing taxpayers millions in squandered funds.
Contractors get water from the Metro and then transport it to informal settlements, earning between R300 and R500 per hour. This brings the total annual cost, including water, to a staggering R300 million.
There is, however, no system in place to ensure that the services are indeed being rendered. The Department of Housing cannot specify where, when or how much water is delivered.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) has called on the Tshwane Metro to redirect these funds towards installing water infrastructure and taps in informal settlements instead of relying on water tankers.
Without a reliable monitoring system, such as logbooks, verified timesheets and comprehensive audit records, the programme is vulnerable to mismanagement and exploitation.
Every invoice should be supported by evidence of delivery, including trip records, disinfection records and, where applicable, certified water quality test records.
The party also requested the involvement of the Department of Health’s Environmental Health Division to ensure proper service delivery and prevent the squandering of taxpayers’ money.
The Freedom Front Plus will keep fighting for efficient systems, stringent enforcement and absolute transparency.
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