In his engagement with water sector stakeholders, the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu emphasized the importance of proper planning to ensure reliable and sustainable water supply to communities and other water users.
Minister Senzo Mchunu accompanied by his deputy, David Mahlobo met with the Executive Mayor of Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, Cllr Sylvia Nxumalo, the municipal officials and other water sector stakeholders from wards 14, 16, 22 and 32 in Thulamahashe, Bushbuckridge Local Municipality on 11 January 2024.
The stakeholders which included the agricultural, domestic and business water users appreciated the opportunity to engage with the Minister and the other leaders and raised their concerns, challenges and proposals. The main challenges included that there are some people who do not access to water supply in the wards, broken water supply canal, illegal connections and tampering with the bulk line leading to some communities not accessing water. The stakeholders also noted that their water supply is adversely affected by loadshedding as they did not experience any water shortages or water supply challenges in December when loadshedding was suspended.
Minister Senzo Mchunu noted and acknowledged that there is a challenge in that not everyone is getting water. “Our problem is not at a level of a crisis, it is not a crisis but a serious difficulty, a serious challenge. We do have challenges, that we accept. The challenges mean that we have got to work together vigorously and tightly. We will have to focus on adequate supply of water. The first thing is that we have to agree to work together going forward”, he said.
“The main thing that we need to deal with is to ensure that everybody gets water, in all the villages. We need to do proper and adequate planning. Planning is required, especially on infrastructure. On water, as Department of Water and Sanitation, we will demand proper and adequate planning”, he continued.
The Minister also stated that the Department will deal with the issue of the cracked and damaged canal by first ascertaining if it belongs to the Department or the Department of Agriculture and then ensuring that it is fixed as the people need the canal, especially the farmers. “We are not going to allow a situation where there is a dilapidated canal. We will deal with the canal”, he stated.
Minister Mchunu re-emphasised the importance of planning when he encouraged the municipality to have proper standing plans to replace the package plants with permanent proper treatment plants.
Cllr Sylvia Nxumalo, the Executive Mayor of Bushbuckridge Local Municipality called on the stakeholders and community members to support the municipality’s War on Leaks programme to prevent the loss of precious water.
Enquiries:
Wisane Mavasa
Cell: 060 561 8935
Themba Khoza
Cell: 066 301 6962
