More than 80 City water tankers parked off at municipal depots

MORE than 80 tankers owned by the eThekwini Municipality have been parked for months in the City's depots due to numerous problems, including the failure to renew vehicle licences.

- THAMI MAGUBANE [e-mail]

Members of the Trading Services Portfolio Committee discovered that 88 water tankers belonging to the City are not operational in recent oversight visits.

The tankers are not being used as a result of mechanical issues and a shortage of drivers, and some have not been functional since February this year because their licences have not been renewed.

The City recently announced an investment of R784.8 million in its water and sanitation fleet. The City’s Water and Sanitation Unit will procure additional water tankers, backfill trucks, TLBs, LDVs, and excavators to enhance its fleet, following approval by the council.

This investment aims to address ageing infrastructure, rising water demand, and service disruptions, particularly in flood-affected and informal areas. During their oversight visits to several water depots, committee members expressed concern over the current state of the fleet.