Estcourt, 20 August 2025 – A historic Four-Way Agreement was officially signed yesterday, marking a new chapter in the provision of water and sanitation services for the uThukela District Municipality. The agreement, overseen by the KZN Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, aims to address the persistent water supply challenges faced by communities in Ladysmith, Indaka, Bergville, and Estcourt.
The agreement formalises the Section 63 intervention under the Water Services Act, which was prompted by the severe capacity constraints faced by the uThukela District Municipality in fulfilling its water and sanitation obligations. A due diligence assessment found the district’s water infrastructure to be in an unsatisfactory condition due to lack of maintenance and vandalism, with a required initial investment for both wastewater and potable water infrastructure.
This landmark agreement brings together four key parties: the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG), the uThukela District Municipality (UTDM), and uMngeni-uThukela Water (UUW). Under the new arrangement, uMngeni-uThukela Water has been appointed as the Implementing Agent to manage the operations and maintenance of priority water and wastewater treatment works within the district.
The appointment of uMngeni-uThukela Water leverages its wealth of knowledge and experience to improve the capacity of the district and provide reliable services to its communities. The scope of the agreement includes capital projects funded through grants, as well as the management of operations and maintenance funded through MIG.
Commenting on the initiative, uMngeni-uThukela Water Chief Operating Officer, Mr Sanele Mazibuko said the utility had already evaluated what it would cost to resuscitate a number of dyafunctional schemes in the uThukela District.
“The refurbishment program will be undertaken in two phases, which will see us restoring a number of dysfunctional water schemes within various areas in the District. We look forward to a solid partnership between ourselves and the UThukela District, and are particularly grateful for the support received from the Department of Water and Sanitation , DCOG , MISA and KZN Cogta. “
Speaking at the signing ceremony, MEC Buthelezi hailed the agreement as the beginning of a new chapter. “Our gathering today is the beginning of a new chapter for the people of uThukela, who will now receive clean and reliable water supply in line with their constitutional rights,” said Buthelezi. “All the stakeholders that we have gathered with today have one thing in common and that is a commitment to the improvement of the lives of communities across the Uthukela District. We see today’s agreement as an important step in reviving the economic fortunes of communities, as a constant supply of water is a prerequisite to any investment.” The District is home to a number key industries that have created job opportunities and as government we have an obligation to safeguard business interests as they provide a livelihood for our communities.
The CEO of the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency, Ms P Kgomo, expressed her full commitment to the agreement and that the Agency will ensure that the agreement is a success and that all relevant technical support is provided by MISA as setout in the agreement.
Welcoming the intervention, the Mayor of the District, Inkosi Shabalala, thanked the Department of CoGTA and the MEC in particular for championing the cause and for having the foresight to implement this intervention, which brings additional capacity to the municipality that will benefit all residents and create job opportunities since investment prospects will grow as a result of the stabilisation of the water supply.
“After the signing of this agreement we know that uThukela will never be the same again in terms of water supply and universal access” remarked Inkosi Shabalala.
The MEC further emphasised the commitment of his department to the success of the intervention. “For our part, CoGTA will continue to provide oversight and intervene whenever necessary. We hope that this intervention will not only resolve the immediate water challenges but also leave behind a lasting legacy of improved governance, technical expertise, and strengthened institutional capacity in this municipality,” he concluded.
The agreement is a significant development in the province’s local governance and paves the way for similar interventions in other communities facing compromised municipal capacity. The takeover by uMngeni-uThukela Water is a turning point for Uthukela residents . It restores water reliability, rebuilds confidence, and ensures that both businesses and residents benefit from professional, accountable water management by an entity with the skills to run a water system as a business.
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