Mchunu commends progress in addressing KwaXimba water challenges

Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, has expressed optimism at the work being carried out to address water supply challenges in KwaXimba within the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, in KwaZulu-Natal. 

This follows a commitment made by Mchunu in February this year to fast-track the implementation of bulk water projects that are mainly implemented by the department’s entity, uMngeni-uThukela Water, working alongside the provincial and local spheres of government. 

Speaking during a community imbizo on Thursday, the Minister noted that since his previous engagement with members of the KwaXimba community, there has been notable progress, despite some delays due to infrastructure vandalism. 

“Since my previous interaction with you, we worked alongside the eThekwini Metro to fast-track the implementation of a package plant and associated infrastructure project to provide residents of KwaXimba, specifically the Mvini, Bhobhonono and Nonoti areas, with potable water,” Mchunu said. 

The KwaXimba Package Plant and associated infrastructure project include an offtake from Nagle Aqueducts No. 01 and No. 02 with a 35m long 355mm diameter raw water pipeline, construction of a low lift pump station from the Nagle Aqueducts to the Package Plant, and the construction of a concrete slab to accommodate the 2 megalitres per day package plant, among others. 

“The project will be completed in two phases, and this will see the supply of potable water to the Mvini area (Phase 1) and the supply of potable water to the Nonoti and Bhobhonono areas (Phase 2).

“Thus far, the decommissioning of the existing package plant from Mpofana (Mooi River) and transportation to the KwaXimba area is complete,” the Minister said. 

The installation and commissioning of the package plant is scheduled to be completed by end of this month.

This intervention will ensure supply to the Mvini and Bhobhonono areas by the same month.

The implementation of the KwaXimba Package Plant has had socio-economic benefits resulting in job creation for 10 locals for Phase 1 of the project, with a further 20 anticipated to be appointed.

The Minister announced that Phase 2 of the project is on track and expected to be completed by November 2024. Phase 2 includes the installation of a 5 megalitres per day package plant, the construction of a potable water pump station, and the laying of a 7500m-long pipeline.

Phase 2 of the project will also see a total of 40 local job opportunities created.

“I have come back to assure you that my mandate is … to ensure water for all. Water is a source of life, and as a Minister appointed to ensure the provision of reliable and consistent water for all, politicking is the last thing I could ever do,” Mchunu said. 

He warned the community about the impact of infrastructure vandalism, saying that the department will not hesitate to take stringent measures to address the criminality. 

This comes after the vandalism of KwaXimba Package Plant, which was discovered on Thursday morning, prior to the Minister’s oversight inspection of the plant.

“Vandalism is a crime and anyone who commits it will be treated like the criminal that they are. uMngeni-uThukela Water has since opened a case with the South African Police Service and this is being investigated,” Mchunu said. – SAnews.gov.za