Important South African metro lost R1.6 billion worth of water

The Mangaung Metro, which governs Bloemfontein and surrounding towns, has lost more than R1.6 billion worth of water over the past five financial years.

This information was released by the Free State MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Saki Mokoena.

He provided the figures in response to a question by the Freedom Front Plus in the Free State Legislature.

The losses are mainly the result of leakages and poor infrastructure maintenance over the past three decades.

Mokoena’s information also indicated that the water losses increased from R186 million in 2018/19 to R454 million in 2022/23.

 This is not where the metro’s problems end. Mangaung’s debt to Vaal Central Water exceeds R900 million.

Mokoena previously revealed that total water losses across the entire Free State over the same period exceed R7 billion.

While residents pay more for services each year, the municipality continues to spend more on salaries and less on infrastructure maintenance.

The 2024/25 Consolidated General Report by the Auditor-General of South Africa has also flagged other problems in Bloemfontein.

It flagged material irregularities concerning the construction of the Dark/Silver City community residential units in Bloemfontein.

These involve payments made to contractors that were not in accordance with the contract, as well as delays caused by strikes.

Material irregularities concerning the residential units were referred to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation for investigation.

This project was cited as an example of the broader failure of the Free State’s service delivery departments to improve audit outcomes.

They have remained stagnant due to persistent neglect of performance reporting and compliance with legislation.