KZN Cogta MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi highlighted that many people are not paying for water and encouraged those who can afford to pay, to do so. Picture: Supplied
Durban: KwaZulu-Natal Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi has warned homeowners, who have built palatial homes on land owned by Ingonyama Trust, to pay for services supplied by their respective municipalities.
Buthelezi said the unreasonable expectation that people who can afford to pay receive free government services presents a serious challenge to the stability of these services.
Buthelezi highlighted that there are individuals who have built mansions worth millions of rand on tribal land and can clearly afford to pay for services such as water. During a meeting last week of uMngeni-uThukela Water, the MEC mentioned that the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) will assist municipalities in collecting what is owed from those who can afford to pay.
“We would like to introduce smart water management technologies to improve efficiency and reduce non-revenue water. There are places in this province where people have built beautiful houses worth millions in our rural areas. You can go to Umbumbulu or along the N2 on the way to Gingindlovu; beautiful houses worth millions, but they do not want to pay even the connection fee for water. They want to have access to free water, despite having the means to pay.
“Among the things that we must demystify as a people is this culture of expecting free government services; it’s unsustainable. Those who can afford to pay must pay for water, and through the smart meter systems, we want to urge those who can afford it. There is no reason why a house along the N2 between Durban and Gingindlovu should not be paying for water. However, because people are in rural areas, they want to take advantage.
“You cannot build a double-storey mansion in Umbumbulu yet expect to receive free water supply. Cogta will assist municipalities in collecting water revenue from those who have the means to pay. Indigent households are currently supplied with six kilolitres of water free per day.”
Siyabonga Maphumulo, spokesperson for uMngeni-uThukela Water, said they agree with the views of the MEC for Cogta, urging communities to pay for the water they use.
“While uMngeni-uThukela Water does not directly sell water to communities, we also understand that for municipalities, who are our customers, to remain sustainable, they must be able to generate revenue.”
The eThekwini Municipality said it is engaged in negotiations with traditional leaders on the very same issues. The municipality has previously raised concerns about the issue of wealthy homes not paying for services.
Chris Pappas, mayor of uMngeni Local Municipality, said the MEC was correct.
“Many individuals willingly pay tens of thousands of rands to Amakhosi and Izinduna for land, and then go on to build large homes that cost hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of rands. However, these individuals often do not contribute towards electricity, refuse collection, water, or property rates. Despite this, they expect the local municipality to deliver world-class services, which is simply not feasible.
“While it is important to ensure a strong safety net for the poor and vulnerable, it is not sustainable for areas with large, expensive homes to avoid paying for services. Additionally, it is unfair for residents in non-traditional areas like townships and suburbs to bear the financial burden of supporting services for these properties,” he said.
The South African Local Government Association (Salga) described the issue of consumer debt as a serious crisis.
Salga KZN Manager Sabelo Gwala reported that the total consumer debt in KZN amounts to R34.6 billion. Household debt constitutes R24 billion, and commercial debt is R7.3 billion.
“So households are not the only culprits. Salga is therefore calling on households, government, and businesses to be responsible and pay for the upkeep of their local services,” he said.
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