Call for tangible plan to ensure reliable water provision

Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister, Sello Seitlholo, has called on the Ngaka Modiri Molema District to put a tangible improvement plan in place, particularly regarding operation and infrastructure maintenance, to ensure reliable water provisioning and to efficiently supplement the current water demand shortfall.

Seitlholo made the call during an oversight visit to the Tswaing Local Municipality following concerns raised by Tswaing residents about various water provisioning challenges in the area.

The Deputy Minister inspected the boreholes meant to service communities in Blesbokpan, Kopela, Ottosdal, and the Sannieshof Water Tower, all located in Tswaing.

He was accompanied by Tswaing Local Municipality Mayor, Norah Mahlangu, technical teams from the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality – which is a Water Service Authority (WSA) – and the Water and Sanitation’s North West Regional Office.

Seitlholo was informed by the Tswaing Local Municipality that the majority of the water boreholes in the municipal area are not operational and those that are operational either have leaks or are at risk of being vandalised.

The Deputy Minister noted said teams from both the district and local municipalities do not know the water balance of the boreholes and how much water they can provide in terms of supply versus demand.

He said it was most concerning that borehole metres and boosters do not work.

“The challenges faced by these municipalities are immense and further exacerbated by the lack of engagement, communication and collegiality between the district and the local municipality. There are millions of rands that have been spent on contractors that have abandoned sites while communities are desperately waiting to get water.

“It is quite clear there are municipal officials, [including] politicians who are working together with scrupulous ‘tenderpreneurs’ who deliberately sabotage water and sanitation infrastructure in the Tswaing Local Municipality, and in all municipalities across the country,” Seitlholo said.

He added that the borehole stations that were visited have been vandalised, with electrical equipment ripped out of boxes.

“Due to travel distances and strategic areas where boreholes are built, there seems to suggest the damage to our infrastructure is caused by people with access to information and resources,” the Deputy Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za