The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) is concerned about the condition of critical infrastructure in the Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality (Phalaborwa, Lulekani, Boelang) following devastating floods in January.
The Freedom Front Plus MPL and provincial leader for Limpopo, Mr André Moss, accompanied by local Freedom Front Plus councillor Giel van Niekerk and prospective candidate Ms Jane Williamson, have seen first-hand how damage to infrastructure can cut off a region’s lifeline.
The town itself and surrounds have been without water for more than a month now.
In addition to damage to the main lines, Phalaborwa and nearby residential areas are riddled with burst pipes and water leaks as a result of poor infrastructure planning and inadequate maintenance.
This decay is the direct result of years of neglect – even the water that does reach the system is lost before it reaches the consumer.
The party obtained an official report from Lepelle Northern Water confirming that the 546 mm bulk line in the Selati River was washed away and remains out of operation, despite claims of emergency repairs.
Although a 560 mm line was temporarily repaired to try and stabilise the town’s water supply, it has developed ongoing faults and six new leaks, necessitating all pumping operations to be stopped.
Operational capacity is further constrained by the removal of the 6AB pump set – with one unit being declared irreparable. Replacing it is expected to take up to twenty working weeks.
Power outages at the Lulekani booster station have resulted in two burnt-out motors, forcing the system to rely on a bypass arrangement that supplies significantly less water than the normal daily capacity.
The Boelang 250 mm branch line also remains compromised after being washed away during the floods, eroding any hope for the rapid restoration of water security in the foreseeable future.
The greatest cause of concern for the Freedom Front Plus is that the CEO of Lepelle Northern Water, Dr Cornelius Ruiters, failed to set out a comprehensive long-term plan for rebuilding the Selati River infrastructure.
This glaring failure leaves the Freedom Front Plus with the clear impression that no such plan exists, meaning that Phalaborwa residents may have to survive with taps running dry for months to come.
The Freedom Front Plus implores residents and business owners to recognise the seriousness of the situation and urgently consider alternative ways to secure their own water supply amid the state’s inability to act.
As a matter of urgency, the Freedom Front Plus proposes the establishment of a multi-sectoral task team consisting of members of the community, business owners, mines and government to achieve self-determination over water in Phalaborwa.
Residents are encouraged to pro-actively explore joint ownership of water supply schemes and community-managed boreholes so they no longer need to rely on failing municipal and provincial systems.
The Freedom Front Plus will keep pressuring the relevant authorities, but wishes to emphasise that the secret to security lies in community-driven resilience and moving away from dependence on incompetent state entities.
Freedom Front Plus Language Rights: It supports the protection of Afrikaans as a language of instruction and communication.
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