The mafia thriving after disaster in South Africa

Water tanker mafias are thriving after the floods damaged water infrastructure in the Eastern Cape, threatening anyone who tries to supply water to affected communities for free. 

Water tanker mafias emerged as a serious concern around 2023, tied to failing municipal water infrastructure. 

They deliberately sabotage pipes, pumps, and valves to prolong dependency on private tanker services to secure multi‑million‑rand tenders.

A GroundUp investigation found that in Adams Mission, a town in eThekwini, nearly every resident interviewed had purchased water sold illegally by tanker mafias. 

Mafias would illegally charge residents up to 15 times the city-set rates. Some estimate that a tanker holding 28,000 litres of water can earn over R1 million in a few days in areas of the province where municipal trucks have not visited.

These organised crime groups are now thriving on the devastating floods that hit the Eastern Cape over the past week. 

Across the province, its been reported that at least 2,686 residents are homeless, and schools and hospitals have sustained heavy damage, as vital infrastructure has been destroyed.

Large parts of the O.R. Tambo and Amathole Districts, which include Mathatha, are among the hardest-hit areas. These districts remain without reliable water or electricity.

In response, the Gift of the Givers received a formal request from the Department of Health, the South African Police Service, and emergency medical services to urgently supply water to Mthatha’s hospital, the forensic unit, and surrounding community.

However, the organisation flagged serious concerns after being targeted by so-called “water mafias” while delivering flood relief in Mthatha. 

According to the organisation’s Ali Sablay, their teams were threatened while providing clean water to communities, where the floods have left the town without a functional water treatment plant.

Sablay explained that while their trucks collected water from a municipal treatment plant on Saturday, two vehicles approached and threatened Gift of the Givers staff. 

“They told our team to vacate the area, that they were not wanted in the town, and said we would see what would happen if we didn’t leave,” Sablay said. 

The aid will continue 

“The OR Tambo District Municipality was angry. The community was angry. The police immediately stepped in and told us they would escort our trucks daily.”

Sablay said the threats were motivated by greed. “Normally in these situations, we see ‘tenderpreneurs’, people contracted to supply water to the town.” 

He explained that they were upset that the NGO was giving water for free and taking no payment from the municipality or government. 

“This is a huge disaster, yet some see it as a business opportunity. That’s where greed kicks in, people use the suffering of others for profit,” he said. 

“We’re cutting into their profits. They’re being paid to deliver water, and here we are doing it for free. But we’re not going anywhere. This is a time for compassion, not profiteering.”

He praised the response from law enforcement, particularly acting Eastern Cape police commissioner General Tandaswa Ncapayi. 

Sablay noted that the teams now have an officer inside each truck and police vehicles escorting us. “The OR Tambo District Municipality checks in daily to ensure everything’s okay.”

The municipality issued a strong statement condemning the threats. “Extortion is a crime and a moral betrayal of the highest order, especially when directed at those extending a hand to the helpless.” 

“To prey on a crisis is to turn pain into profit. It is merciless, and it will not be tolerated. This is not who we are. We are people who rebuild, share, and rise for one another.”

Sablay reiterated the organisation’s commitment to continuing its relief efforts in Mthatha, where more than 90 people have died in the floods.

“This is a time of mourning and immense need. We are here to serve. And no threats are going to change that.”