Checked 27 October 2026
Where the facts in this claim come from
Every fact on the claim page, with the sources we used. We save a copy of each source on the day we read it.
What does the evidence show?
Why it is Verified
At 41%, the loss was above the Auditor-General's 30% norm. Its 2024-25 report puts four years of losses at R0.63 billion, above the 30% norm in each year. At Kaysers Beach and Kidds Beach, the Auditor-General linked the water cuts to old pipes, many burst pipes and leaks. The boreholes there have high levels of sodium and chloride (salt), and the city does not treat the water to the required levels.
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 18 February 2026.
Where to look: Slide 4, 'Financial planning and performance' column: 'Water losses (above norm)(15%-30%) 41% (R187,49 m)'. Slide 18, 'Key messages on service delivery', box 'Water services', bullet 1: 'water supply interruptions, lack of water supply and water quality issues were identified at Kaysers and Kidds beach. This was due to ageing infrastructure, numerous pipeline bursts and leaks which resulted in water losses'; bullet 2: the boreholes there have a 'high level of sodium and chloride and the BCMM is not treating the water to the required levels'
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 24 June 2026.
Where to look: Printed page 204 (PDF page 208), Buffalo City dashboard, 'Distribution losses over administration': 'Water losses R0,63bn (4 years more than 30% norm)'; printed page 205 (PDF page 209), paragraph 5: 'Losses of electricity and water remained high'. Printed page 55 (PDF page 59): the 30% norm for water losses. 'Over administration' is the four years 2021-22 to 2024-25 (printed page 59, PDF page 63).
What did the council do, and when?
Who ran the council
Mayor: Princess Faku (ANC). Council run by ANC. From Mar 2023 to present.
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Published 27 March 2023.
Where to look: Lead paragraph ('elected as the new Mayor of Buffalo City Metro during the Special Council meeting on Thursday evening 23 March 2023'); paragraph 2 ('takes over from Cllr Xola Pakati who resigned on Monday 20 March')
SABC News. Published 23 March 2023.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 (Faku elected; Pakati 'resigned on Monday'; the ANC PEC 'recalled Pakati two weeks ago citing poor audit outcomes, wasteful expenditure and failure to collect revenue'); paragraph 3 ('62 votes against the 22 for Bentley'); paragraph 5 (EFF did not vote). Paragraph 2 is a linked video title.
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Published 22 November 2021.
Where to look: Page 3 of 4, seat table: 'AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS 61 43 18' (total, ward, PR seats); page 4: 'Total Party Seats 100 50 50'. Printed on 2021/11/22.
Daily Maverick. Published 1 October 2026.
Where to look: Buffalo City mayoral candidates section: 'The ANC has yet to confirm its candidate. The ANC has offered incumbent mayor Princess Faku, former deputy minister Nocawe Mafu, Simphiwe Dzengwa and Ncedo Kumbaca as its potential candidates.'
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