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
This means more than half the water it bought or produced was lost and never sold. The loss grew from 48.66% the year before. The figures are in the metro's audited statements. The Auditor-General puts the metro's water losses at R1.23 billion over four years, above the 30% accepted level each year.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. Published 30 January 2026.
Where to look: Printed page 73 (PDF page 74), note 6.1.1 'Water Losses': 'The NMBM suffered water losses of 67,946 megalitres (52.74%) amounting to R392.6 million during the 2024/25 financial year. The comparative figures for the 2023/24 were 55,833 megalitres (48.66%) amounting to R324.0 million.'
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 24 June 2026.
Where to look: Printed page 206 (PDF page 210), Nelson Mandela Bay profile, 'Distribution losses over administration': water losses R1,23bn (4 years more than 30% norm). Printed page 207: water losses 'exceeding acceptable benchmarks'
Daily Maverick. Published 28 June 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph 20: a National Treasury presentation puts water losses at 52.7%, up from 39% in 2020/21. Paragraph 1 is the first body paragraph after the standfirst.
What did the council do, and when?
Who ran the council
Mayor: Babalwa Lobishe (ANC). Council run by ANC, EFF, PAC, Northern Alliance, Defenders of the People, African Independent Congress. From Oct 2024 to present.
EWN. Published 31 October 2024.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 (ANC councillor Lobishe elected uncontested as mayor); paragraph 2 (she resigned as deputy mayor on Thursday morning); paragraph after the 'ALSO READ' link (Van Niekerk elected deputy mayor unopposed)
Daily Maverick. Published 21 July 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph 6 (AIM's Khusta Jack resigned from the coalition in May); paragraph 7 (ANC 47 in coalition with EFF 7, NA 3, Defenders of the People 2, PAC 1 and AIC 1, with UDM voting support; 62 of 120 seats). Paragraph 1 is the first body paragraph after the standfirst.
Daily Maverick. Published 13 September 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph 5 (three government changes since 2021); paragraph 11 (coalition partners the EFF, PAC, Northern Alliance and AIC); paragraph 14 (EFF leads Electricity and Energy, and Budget and Treasury). Paragraph 1 is the first body paragraph after the standfirst.
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