Minister Bredell intervenes to address Leeu Gamka toilet failures
Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning yesterday visited Leeu Gamka, a small community in the Prince Albert Municipality in the Central Karoo, to inspect sanitation infrastructure, recently installed for the local community.
The infrastructure includes a sewage network, septic tanks, and toilets for 47 households. “After receiving complaints about substandard construction work, my department compiled an engineering report on the installation of toilets and sewage systems in Leeu Gamka. My visit confirmed that the challenges are real,” Bredell said.
According to the report, a private sector contractor was appointed by the Central Karoo District Municipality, which circumvented all Prince Albert Municipality’s procurement, legal, planning, engineering, and construction requirements.
According to Bredell: “What might have been conceptualised with good intentions, is now a complete mess. My visit confirmed what is described in the report. Sewer lines are misaligned, there are no manholes at sewer line direction changes, sewer lines are leaking, toilets are leaking, several septic tanks have collapsed, and the foundations of several of these tanks are not adequately compacted, which will only worsen the situation going forward.
This has resulted in a situation where sewage is being spilled, creating a health risk for the residents while also polluting the environment and water sources.”
Bredell said the first step towards rectifying this situation is to have the affected land parcel, which belongs to Transnet, transferred to the Prince Albert Municipality, as this will allow the local government to invest in the required sanitation infrastructure, in compliance with municipal financial and construction regulations.
“We have already started discussions with Transnet. They requested a revised survey diagram from the Municipality to conclude the land transfer. Once the land ownership has been addressed, my department can explore different ways in which to support Prince Albert Municipality and the community of Leeu Gamka with this project,” Bredell said.
Enquiries:
Wouter Kriel
Cell: 079 694 3085
E-mail: Wouter.kriel@westerncape.gov.za
