Concerns raised over eThekwini's wastewater infrastructure funding

The eThekwini Municipality has ring-fenced R69 million for urgent repairs to four critical wastewater infrastructure sites, which were damaged by the April 2022 storm.

Despite the allocation, tensions are emerging because this funding approach, which reportedly comes from identifying savings within the Water and Sanitation 2025/26 financial year capital budget, threatens the timely completion of other scheduled projects.

The funding, approved by the eThekwini Trading Services Committee, will cover repairs at the Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) and various surrounding sewer catchments.

Service providers have already been appointed to undertake investigations, design, and construction for the identified projects.

However, on January 15, 2026, four projects reflected a zero-budget allocation, namely:

• Umhlathuzana Trunk Sewer; 
• Northern Wastewater Treatment Works; 
• Padfield Road sewer repair; 
• Homeford Road sewer repairs. 

The municipality stated that service providers are unable to commence with implementation until the budget is made available, notwithstanding that these projects are planned for completion within the 2025/26 financial year.

The committee was advised that the funding proposed for transfer originates from the Tongaat water treatment works allocation. The committee requested regular feedback on the projects and intends to conduct an oversight and inspection of the projects.

Yogis Govender, a DA eThekwini councillor, described the process as unacceptable and “a rodeo or a game of musical chairs”.

She added that this was not a technical budget adjustment but a political choice that abandons communities still recovering from the April 2022 floods.

Govender said that shifting money will delay service delivery by years, risk contract cancellations, and leave residents without safe, reliable sanitation.

“They are throwing money – millions at failed, incomplete, disputed projects. Money is redirected from a long awaited upgrade to the Tongaat waterworks. This is unacceptable, it is a huge blow to thousands of people who have endured misery and suffering brought on by natural disasters and the self-inflicted crisis made by eThekwini Municipality,” Govender said.

Govender also stated that the municipality provided contradictory reports at committee meetings regarding Tongaat water works.

“The municipality must collect outstanding debt to fund these projects. We are splurging money on non-essential events and R2.8 million on rebranding,” she said.

At the council meeting on Thursday, Govender called for the: 

• Immediate reinstatement of the full amounts originally allocated to the Tongaat WTW functional upgrade and the Waterloo–Katzkop project. 
• A public meeting be convened and attended by officials to explain to the community. 
• A binding delivery timetable for Tongaat and Waterloo, with milestones and independent oversight to ensure contracts are not cancelled, and work commences without further delay.

“Residents waited for these promised upgrades to restore dignity and human rights. To see those funds suddenly repurposed is a betrayal. We will not accept being deprioritised while other projects are fast‑tracked,” she said.

In addition, councillors in the Trading Services Committee requested that the relevant officials consult with the affected councillors, and provide reasons for the non-implementation of the identified projects and the inability to fully spend the allocated budget during the 2025/26 financial year.

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