Municipality spends millions sending officials to international water conferences while it suffers water losses of 38%

Mbombela Local Municipality spent millions sending officials to international water conferences rather than using the money to fix its poor water infrastructure.

Mbombela Municipality is a local municipality within the Ehlanzeni District Municipality in Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Many well-known tourist towns fall under its authority, including Mbombela (Nelspruit), Hazyview, and White River.

The beauty of the South African bushveld and the charm of the small towns hide the fact that this area is struggling with serious water problems.

Mbombela Local Municipality’s water problems stem from rapid population growth, ageing infrastructure, and significant water losses.

One of the most pressing technical issues is the volume of treated water that vanishes before it reaches paying customers.

These leaks, pipe bursts, and unauthorised abstractions cost the municipality tens of millions of rands annually.

Mbombela’s urban and peri-urban populations have grown significantly over the last decade, outstripping the design capacity of its local bulk water infrastructure.

Taps frequently run dry in some areas. The municipality acknowledged that the bulk water supply networks have not kept pace with regional expansion.

Several rural villages have suffered from inconsistent supply for years, and residents are often forced to buy water to fill tanks.

In 2024, Groundup reported that the South African Human Rights Commission had to step in to address the issue.

Mbombela Local Municipality’s priorities questioned

Freedom Front Plus member Ken Robertson questioned the municipalities’ priorities, noting they spent money on overseas trips rather than on infrastructure maintenance.

The municipality recently sought approval for the mayor, Wiseman Khumalo, the Municipal Manager, and senior officials to attend the World Water Week conference.

Attending the conference, which will be held in Singapore from 15 to 19 June 2026, will cost the Mbombela Local Municipality a significant amount of money.

According to the documentation tabled at a special council meeting, the trip will cost approximately R312,000 for two delegates.

This includes registration, return business-class flights, and six nights’ accommodation in Singapore.

“The expense is to be paid from the capacity-building budget of the Technical Services Department, all while Mbombela’s own taps are running dry,” said Robertson.

“While the Municipality spends exorbitant amounts on international travel, residents, especially in Hazyview, are still plagued by serious water problems,” he said.

Hazyview experienced average water losses of 68% over the past twelve months, while Mbombela’s overall losses stand at 38%.

“These water losses cost the Municipality approximately R37,9 million for the period,” Robertson said in a statement.

“The money could have been put to much better use by repairing leakages and upgrading ageing infrastructure.”

He said they have repeatedly expressed concern over senior officials and political leaders’ regular attendance at international water seminars.

These international water seminars were held in countries such as Japan, the Netherlands, Kenya, and Sweden, and are costly.

“Not a single report indicating what was learned and how it will be applied to resolve Mbombela’s water challenges has been submitted,” he said.

“The Municipality’s first priority should be repairing and maintaining water infrastructure, not attending expensive overseas conferences.”

“Every available rand should be used to reduce water losses and improve service delivery, rather than chasing political and administrative prestige abroad.”