Spheres of government called to enhance service delivery

Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo has called on all spheres of government to fast-track service delivery to communities to realise a better life for all.

Mahlobo made the call during the District Development Model (DDM) Social Compact Imbizo, held at the Phuthadithjaba Multi-Purpose Centre in the Free State on Friday.

He cited the recently released South African National Census statistics as a clear indicator that the population of the country is increasing, therefore efforts need to be doubled to meet the increasing needs of communities.

“Statistics South Africa says we have provided more than 90% of the population with water. While we can say we have made strides in this regard, we know that we have not reached everyone as we should and we need to reach out to them as well, because it is our mandate and it is their constitutional right to be supplied with water,” Mahlobo said.

As a solution, the department is assisting municipalities to build new infrastructure, refurbish and upgrade the existing ones, to meet the demand for water, while reducing water loses because of aging infrastructure. 

Through its Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) and Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) programme, the department funds municipalities for water infrastructure. 

“In Maluti-A-Phofung, we have intervened when there were water challenges through our RBIG programme and allocated R176 million in the 2022/2023 financial and R154 million this financial year for water projects. 

“Further to this, through our WSIG programme, we have allocated R127 million from 2022/2023 until 2024/2025 for drilling of boreholes in Intabazwe, Mokgolokweng sewer pumpstations and Mokgolokweng bulk and sewer networks,” Mahlobo said.

The Deputy Minister noted that for the first time the communities of Maluti-A-Phofung have finally received water from Sterkfontein Dam which, he said, was “something that seemed like a pipe dream”.

He added that the communities in the area will benefit from the Lesotho Highlands Water Project once it is completed.

Among the work in progress for intervention in Maluti-A-Phofung area, includes the following projects:

•    Upgrading of Sterkfontein Water Treatment Works
•    Refurbishment and Upgrading of the Fika Patso Water Purification Plant
•    Upgrading of the Intabazwe Rising Main
•    Bulk water supply to Tshiamo and Makgolokweng
•    Upgrading of the supply to Phuthaditjhaba and CBD area
•    Refurbishment of the Elands Waste Water Treatment Work
•    Upgrading of the Kestell Waste Water Treatment Works
•    Refurbishment of the Makwane Waste Water Treatment Works
•    Refurbishment of the Moeding Waste Water Treatment Works
•    Upgrading of the Phuthaditjhaba Waste Water Treatment Works
•    Upgrading of the Tshiame Waste Water Treatment Works
•    Upgrading of the Wilge Waste Water Treatment Works
•    Drilling of boreholes in Intabazwe
•    Improving water revenue and reducing non-revenue water

An allocation for infrastructure development has also been made for this financial year to municipalities under Thabo Mofutsanyana District, including R100 million for Setsoto, R83 million for Nketoana and R60 million for Dihlabeng. 

The imbizo, which was attended by Deputy Ministers in the Presidency, DDM Champion in the district Nomasonto Motaung and Pinky Kekana, Free State Premier Mxolisi Dukwana, and Thabo Mofutsanyaba District Executive Mayor Connie Msibi, among others, also discussed the development of a social compact through the DDM approach and how to make a social compact towards improving service delivery in communities. 

The imbizo also reviewed the progress of the Thabo Mofutsanyane District Social Compact, reviewed partnerships and devised means to strengthen them. 

It further looked at water and sanitation services in the area, as drivers of socio-economic development. – SAnews.gov.za