Minister Mchunu to conduct oversight and assess progress to the Emfuleni Section 63 intervention projects in the Sedibeng District
Water and Sanitation Minister, Mr Senzo Mchunu will on Tuesday, 29 August 2023 conduct an oversight visit to assess the progress made at Sedibeng Sewer Scheme Project and Vaal the River System Interventions in Emfuleni and Midvaal Local Municipalities within Sedibeng Region.
This Ministerial working visit seeks to assess progress on the interventions, that are being implemented by Rand Water, that will ensure waste water systems function optimally and ultimately put to an end the protracted pollution at Vaal River and its tributaries.
The interventions include increasing the capacity of the wastewater treatment plants to meet future demands; optimise the operation of critical pump stations and replace the rising mains of those critical pump stations; pipeline repairs and unblocking key bulk mains, and the refurbishment of old modules of the existing wastewater treatment plants; upgrading the current capacity management of the Emfuleni Local Municipality and safeguarding the infrastructure etc.
Sites to be visited include pump stations, rising mains and gravity mains, pipelines and waste water treatment works that are being refurbished and upgraded.
In 2021, Minister Mchunu invoked and placed Emfuleni Local Municipality under Section 63 of the Water Services Act and took over water and sanitation services, this came after municipalities in question were unable to manage its water and sanitation services which resulted in sewer spillages in communities and into the Vaal River and ultimately polluting raw water source. The challenges resulted in water and sanitation service delivery challenges which are having an adverse effect on both social and economic development in the region.
Minister Mchunu established a Political Stakeholder Committee of the project and appointed Deputy Minister, Mr David Mahlobo to chair the committee with a view of keeping all stakeholders abreast of progress. Rand Water was appointed as the Implementing agent.
Members of the media are invited to join the Minister as follows:
Date: 29 August 2023
Meeting Point: Rothdene Municipal Community, Midvaal. (Transport to sites will be available)
Time: 6h45
Dress code: PPE/ comfortable closed shoes and pants (no high heels and sandals)
For media confirmations please contact Sinethemba Madolo on 063 501 0223/ Madolos@dws.gov.za or Fhatuwani Tshikulumela on 082 553 7881/ tshikulumelaf@dws.gov.za
For more information, contact Wisane Mavasa, Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation on 060 561 8935 / mavasaw@dws.gov.za or Kamogelo Mogotsi, Spokesperson for the Ministry on 076 523 0085.
For media releases, speeches and news visit the Water & Sanitation portal at: www.dws.gov.za
