Water shortages, corruption, and ratepayer frustrations in eThekwini

ETHEKWINI ratepayers and residents associations have roundly lauded the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo, for taking a firm stance against corruption and poor service delivery in municipalities across KwaZulu-Natal, including the embattled eThekwini.

With water supply issues becoming an day-to-day issue in many parts of Durban, residents were demanding solutions and an end to what they described as a legacy of mismanagement and exploitation.

Ish Praladh, chairperson of the eThekwini Ratepayers and Residents Association, expressed the frustration of many communities.

“The issue of water must be resolved speedily. Many communities are struggling daily. All we want is a permanent, reliable supply of water. People are tired of empty promises,” said Praladh.

Mahlobo highlighted the same concerns during the official handover of the first phase of the Machibini water scheme in Jozini, under the uMkhanyakude District on Wednesday.

He criticised the growing reliance on private water tanker tenders, particularly in municipalities like eThekwini and uThukela, saying that they have become a breeding ground for corruption.

“We are worried about the tenderising of water tanks. It has caused many problems in communities.”

Mahlobo said: “Some contractors deliver nothing, yet submit fake invoices for full payment. Others damage infrastructure deliberately, creating artificial demand for their services.”

He also revealed what he called the "disturbing behaviour" by some water tanker drivers, and accused them of using their access to water for personal gain.

“Some of them use the tanks to date women, they only deliver water to their girlfriends’ homes. That’s gross misconduct,” he said.

Mahlobo's revelations came as Durban residents grapple with ongoing water shortages, including townships and informal settlements.

Many areas in eThekwini have gone days and weeks without a drop of water, forcing residents to rely on sporadic tanker deliveries that often arrive late, if at all. In addition to the water crisis, Durban was dealing with other deep-rooted service delivery issues.

Power outages, broken sewage infrastructure, and pothole-ridden roads have become the norm.

Environmental concerns have also been raised, with pollution plaguing beaches and rivers, further impacting tourism and public health.

The growing list of grievances has led to an increase in community protests and legal action by residents. One such attempt to challenge the municipality came from the Westville Ratepayers Association (WRA), which tried to declare rates charged between 2005 and 2008 unlawful.

However, the Durban High Court dismissed the application, ruling in favour of the municipality.

Reacting to the ruling, eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba said the city welcomed the court’s decision, describing it as a validation of the municipality’s legal framework. “Residents must rest assured of our commitment to run a clean, accountable, and transparent administration,” said Xaba.

Yet, for many residents, his words were not comforting. They say the administration’s actions often fall short of its promises. The municipality’s billing system continues to generate controversy, with numerous complaints about inflated water and electricity bills.

Others point to the lack of meaningful engagement between the city and its residents, despite the mayor’s claim that his “door remains open".

As the 2026 local elections loom, pressure is mounting on the city’s leadership to address the growing crises head-on.

Ratepayers have been calling for a complete overhaul of procurement processes, stronger oversight, and swift action against corrupt officials and contractors.

“Durban is falling apart,” said Praladh. “We need bold leadership, transparency, and real accountability before it’s too late.”

DAILY NEWS