Cilliers Brink. (Photo: Heléne Mocke/Maroela Media)
On Monday, the DA and ActionSA took different positions on the controversial spending on water tankers in the Tshwane metro after the Special Investigation Unit (SUE) began an investigation into the contracts.
The DA believes that the investigation into the R777 million that the metro spent on water tankers in the 2024-25 financial year can help to expose possible corruption.
Cilliers Brink, the DA’s mayoral candidate in Tshwane, says the investigation could uncover a “water tanker mafia” in the city.
According to Brink, the seriousness of the situation was further emphasized by a Sunday Times-report alleging that companies linked to senior ANC leaders earned millions of rand from contracts for water tankers.
“The seriousness of this case particularly involves Eugene Modise, the ANC’s deputy mayor of Tshwane, who received R31.7 million in water tanker contracts, despite the fact that he does not even own a single water tanker,” he said.
He argues that the expenditure on water tankers increased drastically after the DA was removed from the city administration.
“In June 2024, the DA-led administration canceled a water tank water tender before it could be awarded after significant irregularities were identified,” said Brink.
According to him, certain invoices were later paid after the ANC, with the support of ActionSA, took over control of the city – “despite the fact that there was no proof that the water tankers actually provided service”.
“The result was an astonishing 455% increase in expenditure on water tankers in a single financial year,” said Brink.
He also Dr. Nasiphi Moya, the mayor of Tshwane, requests to intervene and remove Modise, also the mayoral committee member for finance.
“She must use her power to appoint and dismiss members of the mayor’s committee and immediately remove Modise as committee member for finance,” he said.
Nasiphi Moya, Burgomaster of Tshwane. (Photo: Like/X)
ActionSA rejects allegations
However, ActionSA dismissed the DA’s allegations as misleading and argued that the contracts in question were awarded during Brink’s own term as mayor.
The party says the use of water tankers is essential because several rulers in the metro have failed to provide reliable drinking water to communities over the years.
“Water tankers are needed because successive governments, including that of the DA, have for years failed to provide clean, safe drinking water to communities across the city,” ActionSA said.
According to the party, the current management is already working to reduce dependence on tankers by purchasing the city’s own vehicles – a step which is believed to bring savings of around R12 million per month.
ActionSA also disputes the figure of R777 million and says it includes payments for outstanding invoices of R179 million incurred during Brink’s mayoralty.
“The article (in Sunday Times) failed to mention that R179 million paid in the 2024-25 financial year relates to unpaid invoices incurred in the previous financial year during Brink’s mayoralty,” the party said.
Despite the difference of opinion, ActionSA says they support the investigation into the wider water tanker mafia which they say has particularly taken hold in Gauteng municipalities.
The DA has meanwhile indicated that it will request a debate on the spending on water tankers in Tshwane at the next council meeting.