The Department of Water and Sanitation has warned municipalities against so-called “water tanker mafias” who deliberately sabotage water systems to attract business from municipalities.
The warning comes as the department inspected the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) tunnel in Clarens, Free State. The LHWP tunnel is under maintenance for six months.
MUNICIPALITIES WARNED AGAINST WATER TANKER MAFIAS
The joint maintenance operation by Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) and the Lesotho Highlands Development Agency (LHDA) is currently underway, following the tunnel system closure on 1 October 2024.
The TCTA is undertaking the maintenance operation on Delivery Tunnel North within South Africa, and LHDA will focus on the transfer tunnels at the Muela hydro power station in Lesotho.
Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister, Sello Seitlholo, said in any crisis, particularly when it relates to water, there are opportunists.
“I want to warn mayors very strongly…I want us to guard against that. In situations like this, the water tanker mafia is going to come in steam rolling, because to them this is pay day,” Seitlholo warned.
Deputy minister David Mahlobo urged those who are providing water to communities with water tankers that the situation was temporary.
“It is not a permanent thing…. let them give water to our citizens [but] do not let them exploit our people. If they break the law and try to interfere with the municipal systems, by vandalising the valves, the long arm of the law will reach them,” Mahlobo warned.
DELIBERATE SABOTAGE SKYROCKETS IN GAUTENG
In October, Daily Investor reported that vandalism and theft of infrastructure are among the main reasons municipalities rely on water tankers to provide water to residents.
Further, the publication said that while the water tanker mafia has been prevalent in KwaZulu Natal for over a year, offshoots are starting to spring up in Gauteng, which has been plagued by water shortages.
It added that the use of water tankers in Gauteng has skyrocketed as increased demand for water and deteriorating infrastructure have seen multiple areas go weeks without water.
Earlier this week, the office of the chief justice has confirmed that the Constitutional Court has not been able to conduct physical hearings due to water supply disruption in its building.
The office said the cause of the ongoing irregular water supply challenge is not yet known. However, it’s seemingly a common issue in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, where the office is located.
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