eThekwini Allocates R1 Billion to Water Network Upgrade: A Strategic Blend of Necessity and Innovation

As part of their strategic plan to improve access to clean drinking water, the eThekwini Municipality has revealed their blueprint for allocating the recently announced R1 billion budget for the 2023/2024 financial year, in response to concerns from the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and community residents.

According to Gugu Sisilana, the eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, the budget will be dispersed across six major sectors. Infrastructure upgrades alone will be receiving an allocated R323,984,000, the largest portion of the budget. Other areas of focus include non-revenue water - funds assigned to address water lost in the system due to aging infrastructure, water theft, or meter malfunctions - and refurbishment of existing infrastructure.

The budget will be strategically utilised to fund the Southern Aqueduct project and replacement of the water pipe system. For broader and more long-term outcomes, R2.1 billion will be spent on water pipe replacements and other interventions addressing water loss under the Medium-Term Revenue Expenditure Framework.

The SAHRC initiated an inquiry after receiving over 600 complaints from the province's residents about water-related issues. eThekwini, despite facing challenges in identifying those accountable for sabotaging the water network, has been markedly proactive in addressing the issues pinpointed in the SAHRC report.

However, the recent murder of a key official in the water department, Khumbulani Khumalo, in Inanda, north of Durban, has added another layer of complexity to the situation. The investigation into this incident is ongoing.