North West Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs together with Madibeng Local Municipality have formed a rapid response team that will ensure speedy and a lasting solution to water problems in the municipality. The formation of the team follows an emergency meeting between Acting MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs Paul Sebegoe, Madibeng Municipal Mayor Poppy Magongwa as well as councilors and ward committees from affected wards.
The emergency meeting follows the protest action by residents in areas where there is lack of water and where there is unclean water. Such areas include Letlhabile, Centreville, Kgabalatsane, Klipgat and Oskraal.
In an effort to deal with water challenges in the Madibeng Municipality several resolutions were taken during the emergency meeting.
“Water treatment plant in the area will be upgraded. Stolen electricity transformers in some water pump stations will be replaced and those dysfunctional will be fixed to ensure sufficient water capacity to reservoirs. This will enable them to supply water to high lying areas. Water filters that are not functional will be up and running soon to improve water quality. We appeal to communities not to steal these important facilities as this destabilizes peace in communities and denies them the right to access water.” said Sebegoe.
He further indicated that the team will line up critical factors that seeks to address the temporary measures whilst lasting solutions with regard to the issue is persued including the intervention of the municipality with regards to funds.
According to Sebego the mushrooming informal settlements and the ever growing population of Madibeng municipality is also putting pressure on the available water resource. “Breakingdown of facilities such as pipes and worn out valves are also responsible for the high loss of water resulting in high water shortage in the municipality. As a means of dealing with the problem we have resolved to resuscitate abandoned boreholes in the community to increase supply of water moving forward”, said Sebegoe.
“As the department we remain very much determined to resolve water problems in Madibeng and I have trust and confidence in the newly formed Rapid Respond Team, which will consult further with other stakeholders including the department of Water Affairs to provide us with a permanent solution” said Sebegoe.
The Rapid Response Team consists of officials from Madibeng Local Municipality and Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, the Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, ward councilors and some ward committee members of affected areas as well as officials from both Magalies Water and Water Board.
The team will be introduced to residents of Madibeng in a community meeting that is to be held this Sunday (3 March 2013) at Letlhabile Community Hall around 09h00. Acting MEC Paul Sebegoe and Madibeng Mayor will address the meeting.
