R48-billion shortfall to provide potable water
ILLEGAL connections and resultant water losses were central to discussions at the second 2024/25 Integrated Development Plan (IDP) roadshow.
Residents turned up in their numbers at the eSikhaleni TVET sports ground on Tuesday to hear King Cetshwayo District Municipality (KCDM) Mayor Thami Ntuli.
Ntuli said for the financial year under review, the district tabled a budget of just over R2-billion for public submissions.
However, the district has a shortfall of at least R48-billion to service the entire region with clean, drinkable water.
“The main problem we are encountering is water losses due to illegal connections in our systems, resulting in financial non-accountability.
“We find that people with businesses, who are residing in the areas of
Amakhosi, do not pay for services rendered, and this ends up being compensated by residents in urban and township areas,” said Ntuli.
He said they are in talks with these businesses to find a mechanism that will make them pay, regardless of where they stay.
“We have projects in place to revamp and build new infrastructure for water supply as a huge chunk of the budget is set aside for these projects,” said Ntuli.
The district has set aside R4.5-million for local SMMEs, R3.6-million for regional farmers, R1.3-million for pupils in need of tertiary registration fees, with R1.9- and R1.2-million for career expo and arts and culture-related projects respectively.
Among other inputs from the public were the need for housing, sporting and exercise facilities, and employment for qualified, over 35-year-old graduates.