The Democratic Alliance (DA) in eThekwini has called for immediate accountability from the City Manager, Musa Mbhele, following the alarming R7.4 billion increase in the municipality’s debt, which now stands at an unprecedented R35 billion.
The DA’s finance committee, during its March meeting, condemned the city leadership for failing to effectively collect the monies owed to the municipality.
A primary concern raised by the DA is the city’s chronic failure to address internal billing issues, particularly concerning water charges. These billing discrepancies, including the back charge for six (6) kiloliters of water, have significantly contributed to the growing debt. Furthermore, the DA highlights the negative impact of rising tariffs, increasing property values, and poor indigent support management, all of which have led to a reduced willingness among residents to pay for services.
The DA’s analysis reveals that the largest portion of the city’s debt is attributed to water, which accounts for 40% of the total outstanding amounts. Property rates follow at 25%, while electricity debt constitutes 15%. The DA has raised concerns over the municipality’s financial mismanagement and the direct impact these issues have on residents who are already struggling with poor service delivery.
One of the most alarming statistics highlighted is the city’s water loss rate, which stands at an unacceptable 57.82%. This is well above the industry norm of 15-30%, and the DA is demanding that the city manager should be held accountable for these massive losses, which ultimately burden ratepayers.
The DA firmly believes that the underlying cause of the municipality’s escalating debt lies in poor budget planning and the misapplication of policies, such as unnecessary tariff increases. These financial missteps contribute significantly to the resistance among residents in paying for municipal services, especially when the services provided do not meet their expectations.
The DA calls on eThekwini’s leadership to take urgent action to rectify these issues. The city must focus on addressing its billing problems, reducing water losses, and ensuring fair and transparent tariff structures. Moreover, a thorough audit of the city’s spending and a reduction of wasteful expenditures is essential to restore public confidence and support service delivery improvements.
The Democratic Alliance remains unwavering in its commitment to fighting for the rights and dignity of the residents of eThekwini. We will continue to hold the ANC, EFF, and IFP accountable for their failures in governance and will not allow residents to bear the consequences of their incompetence.
We urge the city leadership to prioritize the needs of its residents, ensure sound financial management, and restore the trust of those who rely on municipal services every day.