The "Tank Mafia" hinders people of eThekwini Municipality from getting water

The Democratic Alliance has written to the eThekwini Municipality Manager, Mr Musa Mbhele, demanding a thorough investigation into the organised crime and ongoing campaign to deliberately damage water infrastructure in areas under the municipality.

The group has revealed that there are strong allegations that the infrastructure is being damaged by individuals who intend to steal tenders for water tankers. Mr Thabani Mthethwa, who leads the group in the municipality, said that this crime of damaging the infrastructure has even been given the name Tanker Mafia due to its organisation.

“The organisation of this crime involves some municipal officials, politicians and businessmen who are determined to benefit from taxpayers’ money,” said Mthethwa. He added that this crime has a negative impact on the economy and is also damaging the social fabric of the municipality. He said they are urging Mbhele to appoint a comprehensive team comprising the Hawks, detectives, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and other agencies to get to the root of this crime.

“The people of Durban need answers and serious action must be taken against those responsible as it is their right to access clean water without any hindrances,” he said, echoing the sentiment that water is life. He made it clear that his party will not rest until these criminals who are disrupting the social order of the people are caught. The municipality's communications officer, Mr Vukani Mbhele, did not comment on the letter allegedly sent to Mbhele but responded that 98 new trucks will be introduced in the next financial year and the number of trucks being rented has decreased to 100. He said the municipality is in the process of resolving the problems of water shortages and damage to water infrastructure.