uMkhanyakude cracks down on government and business debtors

As uMkhanyakude District Municipality in northern KwaZulu-Natal intensifies efforts to improve revenue collection and protect service delivery, the local government has begun disconnecting water services to government departments, entities and businesses that collectively owe more than R25 million in unpaid water and sanitation bills. According to the municipality, the move forms part of a broader revenue enhancement campaign launched in response to recommendations by the Auditor-General, who urged municipalities to strengthen debt recovery mechanisms and improve financial sustainability. More than 30 properties in the Inkosi Mtubatuba Local Municipality area have already been affected by the disconnections.

Among the facilities that have had their water supply cut are the Mtubatuba Library, a community hall and a police station. uMkhanyakude District Municipality Mayor Siphile Mdaka said the municipality could no longer afford to carry the burden of unpaid accounts while communities continued to demand improved services and infrastructure. uMkhanyakude District Municipality cannot subsidise unpaid bills with funds intended for new pipelines, repairs and clean water for households.

Every rand owed by government and business is a rand taken from the people of uMkhanyakude. We are acting now to restore fairness and safeguard service delivery. The municipality, Mdaka said, had a responsibility to ensure that all consumers — regardless of whether they were government institutions, businesses or private individuals — met their financial obligations.

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“This is not about punishment. It is about fairness and ensuring that residents who pay on time continue to receive reliable water services. Large unpaid accounts directly undermine our ability to maintain and expand infrastructure,” he said.

Outstanding debt continues to place significant pressure on the municipality’s finances, limiting its ability to invest in critical infrastructure upgrades, maintenance programmes and service expansion projects aimed at addressing water challenges in rural communities. Reconnections, Mdaka said, would only be considered once outstanding balances had been paid in full or where acceptable payment arrangements had been concluded and approved by the municipality. Mdaka reiterated the municipality’s commitment to providing reliable and sustainable water services, while calling on all customers to honour their payment obligations to ensure the long-term viability of essential public services.

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