Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister, David Mahlobo has urged mayors and municipal managers in Waterberg District to fast-track water and sanitation projects in Limpopo in order to ensure access to water by communities. Deputy Minister Mahlobo was speaking during the multi-stakeholder water and sanitation engagement session held on 09 May 2023, at Jan Van Rensburg Hall, in Mokopane Limpopo.
The engagement brought together representatives such as Traditional Leaders, Limpopo provincial leadership of the Department of Water and Sanitation, mayors, municipal mangers, and ward councillors from the local municipalities with the Waterberg District, including Lephalale, Bela Bela, Modimolle-Mookgophong, Thabazimbi and Mokgalakwena.
The purpose of the multi-stakeholder engagement was to discuss the state of water and sanitation in the province particularly in this district and take decisions about implementation of water projects that are aimed at delivering water to the people.
Deputy Minister Mahlobo delivered a comprehensive updated status of water supply outlining the progress of ongoing projects, those that are completed and some that are yet to commence with a view of enhancing the lives of our people through the provision of water to households in the areas.
Among the projects that were put under microscope during the engagement session are Olifants River Water Resource Development Programme (ORWRDP) Olifants Management Model (OMM), a multi-billion public private partnership project that seeks to fast-track the raw and potable bulk water infrastructure to supply the Sekhukhune and Mokgalakwena Districts. Phases 1, 2A of De Hoop dam, and 2C bulk line from De Hoop to Steelpoort are completed, the remaining work are Phase 2B 70km pipeline; 3 pump-stations, 3 reservoirs from Flag Bashielo Dam to Mogalakwena.
Phase 2 of the project involves the development of additional water resource infrastructure consisting of the De Hoop Dam on the Steelpoort River and a bulk distribution system.
Deputy Minister Mahlobo also made mention of upcoming Moretele North Bulk Water Supply Scheme which is still in the teething stage. This project will be funded by department’s Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG).
During the discussions, Deputy Minister also pleaded with municipalities to appoint contractors and service providers with technical capabilities and experience.
“One of the reasons behind non-completion of projects is lack of capacity, manipulation and exploitation. We are aware of the phenomenon of criminals that threatens to stop projects and demand 30% without doing any job, we must say no to criminalities and lawlessness,” Deputy Minister Mahlobo stated.
Deputy Minister Mahlobo also expressed concern over non-functionality of Water Treatment Works (WTW) in Waterberg District. There are 9 WTW with the total design capacity of 244,2 megalitres per day, currently producing average of 74.5 Ml/d, the overall performance is 30.5%.
“There are management problems in the technical areas of the municipalities, operations and maintenance is not done properly at our water infrastructures,” Deputy Minister Mahlobo added.
In conclusion, Deputy Minister Mahlobo pleaded with municipalities to fix the sewer that is running on the streets, also pointing out that some of those sewerage spillages were polluting water resources.
For more information, contact:
Wisane Mavasa
Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation
Cell: 060 561 8935
