Johannesburg paid R650 million for water tankers while infrastructure collapsed

The MK Party said the water crisis in Gauteng is due to systemic municipal failures, chronic underinvestment in infrastructure, and the mismanagement of public funds.

It added that Johannesburg spent R650 million on water tankers, with allegations of corruption linked to the contracts, while it faces a huge water infrastructure backlog.

GroundUp’s Seth Thorne reported that the City of Johannesburg refuses to reveal to whom the money went.

Last month, the South African Human Rights Commission inquiry into the Gauteng water crisis flagged serious concerns about the proliferation of water tankers.

AmaBhungane has reported that two companies were awarded a R263-million tanker contract in 2024, which was deemed invalid by the high court in December 2025.

Despite this ruling, the companies appear to still be providing the services while the judgment is being appealed.

Johannesburg Water has refused to provide GroundUp with any additional information on new tenders awarded.

It would also not say whether any other companies have provided services or sold water tankering equipment.

Johannesburg Water spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala told GroundUp to send a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application.

There is no reason why a PAIA should be required for information on public expenditure. How public money is spent should be publicly accessible.

Ferrial Adam, executive manager of WaterCAN, expressed serious concern about the lack of transparency around Johannesburg’s sprawling water tankering system.

On average, it accounts for about 10% of Johannesburg Water’s annual capital budget. R132 million was spent in 2024/25 off a R1.2 billion capital budget.

Adam said that the system’s secrecy creates room for mismanagement and corruption at the City of Johannesburg.

SAHRC Commissioner Henk Boshoff said it was a brazen form of financial mismanagement and corruption.

He added that the system has turned a temporary emergency measure into an exploitative business.

Citizens are paying the price for the water crisis in Gauteng

MK Party said the water crisis unfolding across Gauteng has exposed deep failures in local government.

It added that it raises serious questions about accountability, governance and service delivery in the nation’s richest province.

“Communities across Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, and Emfuleni struggle to access one of the most basic human rights,” it said.

It added that the SAHRC identified several recurring problems, including ageing infrastructure and chronic underinvestment in maintenance.

There were also high vacancy rates in technical departments and water losses caused by leaks and illegal connections.

“There are also allegations of corruption linked to water tanker contracts and weak accountability and consequence management,” it said.

It said the most alarming finding was the extent to which municipalities have become dependent on water tankers rather than fixing underlying infrastructure problems.

“In Johannesburg alone, more than R650 million was reportedly spent on water tankers over five years, while the city faces a water infrastructure backlog,” it said.

“Similarly, Tshwane spent hundreds of millions of rand on tanker services while maintenance expenditure remains below National Treasury recommendations.”

It added that many communities continue to face frequent water outages and sewage flowing into streets and rivers.

There are many delayed infrastructure projects, poor communication from municipalities, and rising municipal debt.

“The Gauteng water crisis has become more than an infrastructure issue. It has become a test of government credibility,” the MK Party said.