Tshwane cuts water tanker spending by 79 percent
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City of Tshwane officials in South Africa reduced their budget for water tankers by 79 percent, from R20.56 million monthly at its peak to R8.34 million monthly.
Deputy mayor Eugene Modise explained the city transitioned to a municipal-led tanker service and increased its fleet to 41 vehicles to lower costs. The city redirected R110 million saved from the tanker budget to municipal tankers, pipe replacement, and infrastructure improvements.
For the past four years, Tshwane operated with budgets that lacked full funding, but the budgets for 2025-26 and 2026-27 are fully funded. Modise stated the city previously owed Eskom R6.66 billion and carried over R13 billion in debt, but has since improved its financial standing. Mayor Nasiphi Moya reported other improvements during her term, including a decrease in areas of audit qualification from six to two.
The city also repaired over 21,000 streetlights, removed 19,000 tons of illegally dumped waste, and the Tshwane Metro Police Department conducted over 800 crime prevention operations. They arrested 1,748 drivers for driving under the influence and recovered 32 stolen vehicles.
