The long-delayed R4.9 million high-lift water pump purchased to stabilise Makhanda’s troubled water supply arrived in the city this month, but no accountability measures have been announced despite years of missed deadlines and escalating costs, according to records from Makana Municipality and the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).

Contract Irregularities And Delayed Installation

The municipality paid R2.7 million to Manco Business Enterprise in 2022, but the pump was never delivered because the contractor failed to pay the remaining balance to manufacturer Donnlee Pump Tech, municipal documents show. Following further delays, the Makana Council approved an additional R2.2 million payment directly to Donnlee in late 2025 to retrieve the equipment, but the pump remained in Benoni as of February 2026 due to unresolved costs for transport and installation. City officials have not commented on when the pump will be operational. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has confirmed it is finalising a probe into seven tenders in Makana, including the pump procurement, linked to alleged fraud and maladministration.

Systemic Failures And Community Impact

In June 2026, the SAHRC reported that “residents in the Makana municipality have been failed at every level”, declaring the ongoing water and sanitation crisis a violation of constitutional rights. Prolonged supply disruptions have affected households and institutions, with Rhodes University suspending classes in August 2024 due to dry taps. The underperformance and escalation of the James Kleynhans Water Treatment Works upgrade—delayed since 2015 and now costing over R700 million—illustrate a wider infrastructure crisis. A SAHRC assessment attributed these failures to persistent governance lapses, mismanagement, and lack of accountability within the municipality.

The SIU’s report on irregular water tenders is expected later this year, with local stakeholders demanding concrete steps to ensure accountability and restore reliable water services for Makhanda residents.