Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu has warned the newly constituted Umngeni-uThukela Water board in KwaZulu-Natal to stay away from political jostling and corruption.
Mchunu spoke to Sunday World on the sidelines of an interactive session with the media and key industry stakeholders in the water sector, organised by eThekwini metro and his department.
“They know what is expected of them. We have conducted a series of orientations with the new board members. Corruption is one of the issues that we spoke at length about that will not be endorsed,” Mchunu said on Tuesday.
The newly formed board consists of chairperson Adv Vusi Khuzwayo, deputised by Noluthando Mkhize. Other members include former KZN education MEC Kwazikwenkosi Mshengu, Khanyisani Shandu, Sibusiso Mkhize, Lavandran Gopaul, Sylvia Mhlongo, Timothy Cornish, Diana Hoorzuk, Hlengiwe Mvubu, and Sipho Mtolo.
The new entity was conceived following the merger between Mhlathuze Water and Umgeni Water, the latter being the country’s second-biggest water entity after Gauteng-based Rand Water.
Mhlathuze, nestled in Richards Bay, was also one of the most profitable water boards in the country, recording a surplus in its reserves. The merger meant staff and assets from both entities would be absorbed under the newly established super water entity, covering several parts of the province and the Eastern Cape.
Umngeni-uThukela is derived from the province’s largest river, uThukela, which has its roots in the Drakensberg Mountains and meanders to the rural town of Emandeni before it meets the Indian Ocean. Umngeni, on the other hand, is a famous river in Durban that flows all the way to the Indian Ocean.
Mchunu said the amalgamation forms part of the department’s bigger plan to have one water board per province to increase efficiency and ensure that all communities are supplied with water.
“This is a milestone that will increase available resources and lead to efficiency. We are doing things differently as a department,” he said.
Both the now-defunct water boards have been plagued by malfeasance ranging from corruption to maladministration allegations involving senior executives. This includes the use of hitmen to eliminate perceived rivals.
“They know what is expected of them. We have conducted a series of orientations with the new board members. Corruption is one of the issues that we spoke at length about that will not be tolerated,” Mchunu said.
Follow @SundayWorldZA on Twitter and @sundayworldza on Instagram, or like our Facebook Page, Sunday World, by clicking here for the latest breaking news in South Africa.
