Tshwane’s R777 million water tanker bill sparks calls for forensic investigation

The City of Tshwane’s spending on water tankers is under renewed scrutiny, with the Democratic Alliance (DA) calling for an urgent forensic investigation into R777 million spent during the 2024/25 financial year.

The demand has reignited debate over alleged irregular payments, claims of a water tanker mafia and the city’s ongoing water infrastructure problems.

Tshwane DA leader Cilliers Brink has asked Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi to initiate an investigation under Section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act into the spending by the ANC-ActionSA-led municipality.

The call comes as questions are raised about whether some companies paid to supply water tankers had the vehicles needed to deliver the contracted services.

DA questions payments to water tanker companies

Brink has highlighted several payments that he says require investigation, including R95 million reportedly paid to Nomakhuwa Trading and Projects, R125 million to M RAMS Enterprise and R31.7 million to companies allegedly linked to ANC deputy mayor Eugene Modise and ANC regional treasurer Rhulani James Shelenge.

Questions have been raised about whether the businesses involved had sufficient tankers or owned the vehicles required to fulfil their contracts. These claims would need to be established through an investigation.

On Tuesday, the DA staged a picket outside Lesufi’s office, using an image of Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya on a water tanker to draw attention to what it describes as a water mafia operating in the capital.

Brink said the full extent of the alleged spending irregularities needed to be exposed.

Water expert questions political accountability

Ferrial Adam of WaterCAN said the reported R777 million expenditure raised serious questions, but also challenged the DA over its oversight during the period when the spending occurred.

While the party is now seeking answers about the payments, Adam questioned where it had been while the expenditure was taking place.

Her comments add another dimension to the dispute, shifting attention from the current investigation demand to the political accountability of those who held positions of power during the relevant period.

Water losses add to Tshwane’s problems

The controversy comes as Tshwane continues to face substantial water losses linked to its ageing and deteriorating infrastructure.

According to figures cited by the DA, the city loses between R1.35 billion and R1.7 billion worth of water annually. Its dashboard reportedly recorded average water losses of 42.6% over a 12-month period.

The party also cited particularly high losses in parts of Soshanguve, Ga-Rankuwa and Mabopane, where it said around half of the supplied water was being lost.

ActionSA Tshwane caucus spokesperson Henriette Frohlich argued that the city’s expenditure on tankers was not properly budgeted for in 2024/25 and accused the municipality of failing to maintain adequate control over payments.

She also linked the growth in water losses to Brink’s time as mayor, saying bulk water losses increased from 27% in March 2023 to 38% in May 2024, during his tenure from 28 March 2023 to 26 September 2024.

Frohlich argued that the deterioration of water infrastructure contributed to the growing reliance on water tankers.

Investigation demand puts spending under the spotlight

The dispute raises two connected questions for Tshwane: whether public money was properly spent on water tanker services and whether enough was done to prevent water losses through failing infrastructure.

The DA wants an urgent forensic investigation into the R777 million expenditure, while WaterCAN has also questioned political oversight of the spending.

The allegations surrounding the companies and payments have not been established as wrongdoing in the information provided. A forensic investigation would be needed to examine the contracts, payments and services delivered.

For residents facing water supply problems, the controversy places renewed focus on how the city manages emergency water provision while addressing the infrastructure failures contributing to the crisis.

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Source: The Citizen