ActionSA expresses solidarity with the communities of Kamaqhekeza, Block C, Dludluma, Ngwenyeni and Steenbok, who have been forced to resort to protest action after years of neglect and corruption by the Nkomazi Local Municipality.
At the heart of this crisis is the municipality’s failure to provide reliable access to water. Instead of building sustainable infrastructure, residents have been subjected to exploitative and irregular water tanker operations that have become a source of corruption and deep frustration.
Disturbingly, ActionSA has been informed of allegations that certain councillors are deliberately withholding access to water in order to sell it back to local residents for profit. If true, this is not only an abuse of public office but also a violation of the constitutional right to water. We therefore call for an urgent investigation into these allegations by the relevant authorities.
As a result of the municipality’s failure to engage community leaders in good faith, residents have now taken a resolution to intensify their calls for accountability. This has escalated into a planned strike, which will affect commuters across the region. Roads expected to be closed include Dludluma, Steenbok, Nhlanganeni dust road, Ngwenyeni, Naas, and Block C, with bus operations along the R571 from Naas to Komatipoort and surrounding areas also disrupted.
While ActionSA understands the anger and desperation driving this action, we call for calm and urge all stakeholders to ensure that protests remain peaceful and do not endanger lives. The community’s voice is clear: they demand an end to water tanker corruption and a permanent solution to the water crisis.
ActionSA will be submitting a formal letter to the Municipal Manager of Nkomazi Local Municipality, demanding answers and accountability regarding the water crisis. Should the municipality fail to provide an appropriate response, we will escalate the matter to the Public Protector to ensure justice for residents.
We demand that the Nkomazi Local Municipality and the Mpumalanga Provincial Government urgently:
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Provide a clear timeline for infrastructure upgrades to secure water access in the region.
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Account for all expenditure on water tankers and expose those benefiting from this corruption.
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Investigate and take disciplinary steps against councillors implicated in profiteering from water access.
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Engage directly with community leaders to resolve this crisis and restore trust.
ActionSA will continue to stand with residents in holding those responsible accountable, because access to water is not a privilege — it is a constitutional right.
ActionSA Demands Probe into Alleged Water Profiteering by Nkomazi Councillors
ActionSA expresses solidarity with the communities of Kamaqhekeza, Block C, Dludluma, Ngwenyeni and Steenbok, who have been forced to resort to protest action after years of neglect and corruption by the Nkomazi Local Municipality.
At the heart of this crisis is the municipality’s failure to provide reliable access to water. Instead of building sustainable infrastructure, residents have been subjected to exploitative and irregular water tanker operations that have become a source of corruption and deep frustration.
Disturbingly, ActionSA has been informed of allegations that certain councillors are deliberately withholding access to water in order to sell it back to local residents for profit. If true, this is not only an abuse of public office but also a violation of the constitutional right to water. We therefore call for an urgent investigation into these allegations by the relevant authorities.
As a result of the municipality’s failure to engage community leaders in good faith, residents have now taken a resolution to intensify their calls for accountability. This has escalated into a planned strike, which will affect commuters across the region. Roads expected to be closed include Dludluma, Steenbok, Nhlanganeni dust road, Ngwenyeni, Naas, and Block C, with bus operations along the R571 from Naas to Komatipoort and surrounding areas also disrupted.
While ActionSA understands the anger and desperation driving this action, we call for calm and urge all stakeholders to ensure that protests remain peaceful and do not endanger lives. The community’s voice is clear: they demand an end to water tanker corruption and a permanent solution to the water crisis.
ActionSA will be submitting a formal letter to the Municipal Manager of Nkomazi Local Municipality, demanding answers and accountability regarding the water crisis. Should the municipality fail to provide an appropriate response, we will escalate the matter to the Public Protector to ensure justice for residents.
We demand that the Nkomazi Local Municipality and the Mpumalanga Provincial Government urgently:
ActionSA will continue to stand with residents in holding those responsible accountable, because access to water is not a privilege — it is a constitutional right.