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
The Auditor-General lists water losses of 25%, worth about R1.27 billion. The City's own annual report gives 25.4%. It says the accepted level is 15% to 30%.
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 28 April 2026.
Where to look: Slide 29 (PDF page 29): 'Water losses 25% (R1,268 bn)'
City of Ekurhuleni. Published 31 August 2025.
Where to look: Page 91, first paragraph: 'The City's current water losses percentage of 25.4% is considered as acceptable norms as per the Circular71 ... between 15% and 30%'; page 90, table T 3.1.2: unaccountable water losses 106 818 343 cubic metres in 2024/25
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 24 June 2026.
Where to look: Printed page 197 (PDF page 201), City of Ekurhuleni page, box 'Distribution losses over administration': 'Water losses R5,02bn (1 year more than 30% norm)'. Printed page 76 (PDF page 80): '2021-22 (first year of current administration)'.
City of Ekurhuleni. Published 26 March 2026.
Where to look: Annual financial statements, note 40 'Bulk purchases (continued)', 'Water losses' (PDF page 781, statements page 89): total loss 93 816 440 units, R1 268 229 377, 'Total loss %' 25.42% at 30 June 2025; 101 010 446 units, R1 296 263 671, 27.61% at 30 June 2024 (restated).
What did the council do, and when?
Who ran the council
Mayor: Nkosindiphile Xhakaza (ANC). Council run by ANC, EFF, African Independent Congress. From Apr 2024 to Feb 2026.
City of Ekurhuleni. Published 18 October 2026.
Where to look: Opening line: 'was elected as the Executive Mayor on 11 April 2024 during an extraordinary council meeting' (page undated; date = day read)
Daily Maverick. Published 11 April 2024.
Where to look: Paragraph 3: Xhakaza elected unopposed as executive mayor at an extraordinary council meeting on Thursday 11 April 2024
EWN. Published 15 April 2024.
Where to look: Paragraph 2 (EFF retains its five mayoral committee seats, ANC has four); paragraph 3 (former mayor Sivuyile Ngodwana is MMC for Corporate and Shared Services); the embedded EWN post below the article names him as AIC
Daily Maverick. Published 19 February 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 (reshuffle on Tuesday night); paragraph 4 (EFF turned down two posts, had four, pulled out of the coalition); paragraph 6 (coalition of ANC, EFF, ActionSA and PA)
IOL. Published 18 February 2026.
Where to look: Paragraphs 21-22: ActionSA says it was not part of any agreement and will not join the mayor's government
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