I have written to the Office of the Public Protector, Advocate Mkhwebane, National Minister of Water and Sanitation and Treasury requesting an urgent investigation into financial irregularities at Mhlathuze Water.

R185 million was made available to the water agency for drought relief as part of the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) emergency intervention allocation.

This money was meant to be allocated to various wards within the Abaqulusi and Nongoma local municipalities.

However, Mhlathuze Water has very little to show for R185 million. Funds allocated to assist the poor have allegedly gone missing and communities continue to suffer unduly.

Wards within the Abaqulusi and Nongoma local municipalities, remain without water and no bulk-water infrastructure projects have commenced.

It is alarming that Mhlathuze has already spent R115 million and requested Treasury to rollover R70 million of the total allocation.

The IFP encourages all residents of Zululand to come forward should they have any information which may assist the Office of the Public Protector in her investigation on this case.

We cannot allow corruption to sweep across the District and take away relief meant for the poorest of the poor.

Letter attached.

Issued by IFP