eThekwini councillors are expected to use the Community Infrastructure Projects ward-based municipal budgets programme to fix water pipe leaks, with the number of outstanding repairs escalating daily.
The 111 municipal wards receive a budget of R2 million per year to carry out basic ward-based projects.
Andre Beetge, eThekwini Executive Committee (EXCO) member, said that by the second week of June, open water faults had reportedly climbed to more than 12,000, adding that internal municipal capacity is unable to cope even with major bursts.
On Wednesday, June 10 alone, 199 major bursts were reported, while the central Durban region reportedly had only two plumbers on duty.
This is also compounded by the eThekwini Augmented Plumbers Panel march to the Durban City Hall on Monday, to hand over a memorandum to officials, demanding clarification on two tenders advertised in December 2025.
Fuelling their anger, the plumbers stated they were informed that five new main contractors had been awarded and that water management had requested them to use only the current plumbers on the council roster system. This has left many plumbers unemployed.
“Effectively, the municipality is beginning the new financial year carrying a deficit equivalent to roughly 60% of the following year’s budget,” Beetge said.
He explained that on December 12, 2025, the municipality issued a comprehensive tender process inviting its existing army of contract plumbers — and any other interested parties — to submit documentation aimed at regularising years of irregular appointments and establishing compliant contractual arrangements.
Beetge said applications closed just seven days later, on December 19, conveniently allowing the municipality to report progress to council and satisfy Auditor-General requirements linked to grant funding.
According to Beetge, of the 509 applications received, only three bidders met the required criteria across Grades 1, 2 and 6, collectively unlocking just R23.5 million worth of repair capacity.
“Legal challenges by unsuccessful applicants delayed implementation further, with the appeals ultimately dismissed with costs. The successful bidders were only appointed on May 25, 2026.”
The successful bidders reportedly lacked sufficient plumbing resources to address the existing backlog, which increased reliance on municipal staff.
“Before meaningful work commenced, discussions reportedly began around increasing contract values. They were supposed to employ these plumbers on Friday, but there has been no communication about it,” he said.
Beetge said he was aware of two municipal depot entrances that were blocked, allegedly by contractors, preventing municipal plumbers from attending to water leaks.
“Officials cite incorrect invoicing and reluctance by contractors to comply with a newly introduced electronic submission and verification system. Contractors, in turn, argue that the system is cumbersome, poorly communicated, and never properly workshopped.”
He explained that aspiring contractors were required to produce a valid trade test qualification and thereafter pass a municipal theoretical and practical assessment before being authorised to work on municipal infrastructure.
Beetge said there are also persistent concerns regarding the quality of materials procured and stocked by the municipality. Inferior products, insufficient backup stock, and inconsistent supply chains have allegedly contributed to premature failures and compromised repairs.
The eThekwini Municipality had received the memorandum; however, it did not respond to media queries at the time of publication.
zainul.dawood@inl.co.za
