DA wants government intervention for Vaal Central Water

By Staff Reporter

The Democratic Alliance has called on Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina to urgently intervene in municipalities that are failing to pay their water bills, leaving bulk service suppliers in financial distress.

During a question session in the National Council of Provinces on Friday, the minister confirmed that Vaal Central Water was in financial distress due to municipalities’ failing to pay for water.

These municipalities include Matjhabeng Local Municipality, which now owes over R6.9 billion (up from R4.8 billion in 2022), Kopanong, which cannot commit to current invoices, and Nala, which saw its water supply cut in 2024 due to non-payment.

Mangaung Metro and Nama-Khoi are also listed among chronic defaulters. DA member of the Select Committee of Water and Sanitation, Igor Scheukogel, said the failure to settle debts has left Vaal Central Water unable to maintain infrastructure or guarantee water delivery — despite having no evidence