The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr Senzo Mchunu, and Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul met with Sol Plaatje Local Municipality in Kimberley on Thursday, 27 July 2023, and have established a committee to deal with challenges of water and sanitation in the City. This comes after deliberations with the municipality which had outlined its challenges pertaining to bulk water supply and reticulation to communities.
The steering committee comprises of a technical team from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and the municipality and will provide a turnaround strategy on Sol Plaatjie Municipality’s water challenges. The committee will have a political oversight of Minister Mchunu and Northern Cape political leadership.
As a Water Services Authority, Sol Plaatje Local Municipality is responsible for waste water management and treatment of raw water and its reticulation. However, through routine inspections and interactions with the municipality, the DWS identified poor operation and maintenance on both water and sanitation infrastructure which contributes to sewage spillages, water leaks and water interruptions in the municipality.
The Department has issued several directives that the spillages of wastewater from the overflowing sewer network and pump stations were ponding inside the Kamfersdam and Platfontein pans. The municipality indicated that they are having financial challenges to address the problems identified.
The committee will also address issues of high levels of water losses as non-revenue water estimated at 64% because of old aging bulk and reticulation infrastructure.
“We are endorsing this steering committee and are confident that it will improve the services of water and sanitation in the city. Various issues that include operation and maintenance, loss of water through leaks and ageing infrastructure will be dealt with decisively. We need to improve water and sanitation services in this municipality and ensure that the people get the services clean running water in their homes,” said Minister Mchunu.
Both the Minister and the Premier have also undertaken to expedite the progress of the Vaal Gamagara Phase two project, which will be a joint venture between the Department of Water and Sanitation and Mine Leadership Forum in Northern Cape. The project will entail laying of the 260-kilometre pipeline, from the Vaal River Pump Station and will service the communities of John Taolo Gaotsewe District Municipality.
Eradication of bucket system in the Norther Cape province was also prioritised during the deliberations. There are currently 7600 buckets in the province, and the Minister Mchunu and Premier Saul will soon sign a memorandum of Understanding to eliminate the bucket system, particularly in Campbell area under Siyancuma Local Municipality.
For more information:
Wisane Mavasa
Spokesperson
Cell: 060 561 8935
E-mail: mavasaw@dws.gov.za
Kamogelo Mogotsi
Spokesperson for the Ministry
Cell: 076 523 0085
