Committee backs uMngeni-Uthukela’s R22bn CAPEX, but demands answers on scandals

By Akani Nkuna

The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation has endorsed uMngeni-Uthukela Water’s newly tabled R22 billion five-year capital expenditure plan, but warned that its success hinges on whether the utility can muster the technical, managerial and governance muscle to deliver.

The remarks were made during a three-day oversight visit across KwaZulu-Natal this week, where committee members also grilled the entity over several negative media reports highlighting alleged governance lapses, questionable sponsorships, and board conduct.

“We hope that the utility has the right skills to match the plan, to ensure that it is effectively implemented. Infrastructure development is critical in driving economic growth, and the full implementation of the plan is necessary,” said Sello Dithebe, acting chairperson of the committee.

“South Africa suffers from the problem of great plans but deficient implementation,” the committee said in a statement.

The acting CEO of the Pietermaritzburg-based utility, Thami Mkhwanazi, told the