Ratepayers criticise water board fees

Concerns raised over high remuneration for board members

- THAMI MAGUBANE [e-mail]

WHILE ratepayers and opposition parties have expressed outrage at the “exorbitant” fees paid to board members of the water utilities in the country, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has dismissed concerns that the pay is excessive.

Ratepayers and opposition parties have balked at the fees, some running to more than a million rand, describing them as unjust, excessive, and tantamount to reckless management of public funds. The fees are detailed in recent parliamentary questions, which outline how much the board members are paid.

In the case of the uMngeni-uThukela Water Board, one board member earned RL5 million while attending approximately 14 meetings during that period. The 12 individuals listed as board members of the entity for 2023 earned between R460 000 and R1.5m, having attended between 13 and 27 meetings.

One member in uMngeni-uThukela, identified as B. S. Khuzwayo, earned approximately R1.5m for attending 14 meetings, while another board member, S. W. MKhize, was paid about Rim for attending 19 meetings. Additionally, L. Gopaul received R963 000 for 19 meetings, and T. Mhlongo earned R922 000 for attending 22 meetings.

Anthony Waldhausen of the Msunduzi Association of Ratepayers Residents and Civics said, “It is scandalous that they are remunerated such high amounts. What good decisions have come out of these board meetings that can justify such high remuneration? We, the taxpayers, are paying for poor planning and decision-making on the part of the board”