LOBAMBA – The Eswatini Water Services Corporation (EWSC) has clarified that customers who migrate to its prepaid water system will not be required to pay standing charges, addressing concerns raised by Members of Parliament during an appearance before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
The issue arose as MPs sought clarity on how the prepaid system would operate and whether it would genuinely provide financial relief to consumers who have long complained about high water bills and fixed charges.
Nhlambeni Member of Parliament Manzi Zwane questioned persistent claims that customers on the prepaid platform would continue to incur standing charges whenever they purchase water credits.
He also sought clarification on how the system would apply to domestic consumers, particularly those in rural areas, compared to commercial customers.
Responding to the concerns, EWSC Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Sifiso Phiri stated customers would only pay for the water they consumed and that any deductions from purchased credits would only occur where customers had agreed to settle previously accumulated debts. According to Phiri, customers with outstanding balances would enter into arrangements with the corporation to gradually repay what they owed through deductions linked to future water purchases.
The discussion then shifted to reports that some customers were being informed that they would need to pay E180 before joining the prepaid programme.
Phondo MP Bonginkosi Dube said many citizens were concerned about the alleged upfront payment and wanted certainty on whether the amount would still be charged once a customer migrated to prepaid services. Zombodze Emuva MP Ntando Mkhonta asked EWSC to explain the cost of a unit of water under the prepaid arrangement. Phiri informed the committee that one kilolitre, equivalent to 1 000 litres of water, currently costs E18.90 under the approved tariff structure.
Somntongo MP Sandile Nxumalo requested that the technical terminology be simplified for ordinary emaSwati, particularly those in rural communities who may struggle to understand measurements expressed in kilolitres. Matsanjeni South MP Sabelo Ndlangamandla assisted by explaining that one kilolitre is equal to 1 000 litres, a clarification that was welcomed by members of the committee. PAC Chairperson Madala Mhlanga remarked that the pricing appeared reasonable based on the explanation provided. However, Gege MP Magesi Dlamini argued that consumers still required a more detailed explanation regarding the tariff structure. He noted that water remains expensive for many households and that the corporation needs to help citizens better understand how charges are calculated. The committee also raised concerns about affordability, particularly for low-income households and elderly citizens.
Zwane questioned whether an elderly person with only E10 available would be able to purchase water under the prepaid system. He expressed concern that the minimum purchase requirements could disadvantage vulnerable members of society, including pensioners surviving on government grants.
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