Soil of SA urges Tshwane to invest money in permanent water infrastructure instead of tankers

Civic movement Soil of Africa has called for urgent transparency and accountability from the Tshwane metro over what it said is excessive and unsustainable use of water tankers, instead of investing in permanent tap infrastructure.

The organisation said the municipality was spending millions of rands each year on tanker services while thousands of residents in disadvantaged communities continue to live without fixed water and sanitation systems.

According to the movement, the metro spends R450 million yearly on tankers meant to fill the gap left by failing infrastructure.

It’s also highlighted that municipal records show that between July and December 2024, the city spent approximately R300 million on water tanker operations alone.

"The opposition has criticised a recent adjustment budget in which Tshwane increased its water tanker allocation by over R240 million, while water infrastructure capital works remain backburdened," said chairperson Bongani Ramonjta.

The movement is demanding that the funds be redirected into installing taps, pipelines and sanitation infrastructure, particularly in historically disadvantaged areas.

"That the municipality adopt a clear plan and timeline to phase out reliance on water tankers as a primary supply method and instead implement permanent infrastructure upgrades."