By Obakeng Maje

Mahikeng-A joint–task team to investigate interruption of water supply experienced in the Mahikeng-Mmabatho areas in recent weeks was established by the Office of the Premier in the North West Province on Monday.

The task team comprising of representatives from the Office of the Premier, Provincial Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport, Department of Water Affairs, Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, Mahikeng Local Municipality and Botshelo Water Board is expected to conclude its report with recommendations in a week’s time.

The establishment of the team follows Premier Mme Thandi Modise’s concern about interruptions which have inconvenienced the public and also disrupted services as employees were released early whenever disruptions were experienced for hygienic and health considerations.

“By Tuesday the team had completed inspection of all valves and testing of pressure at all major pipelines to ascertain the cause of the interruption which has affected the Mmabatho CBD including the Ga-Rona Government Complex and Lowe Parliamentary Village and also inconvenienced households in the immediate vicinity” Lesiba Kgwele said.

Despite an incident of a burst pipe in Golf View and a closed valve on the pipeline supplying the Mmabatho CBD and its surrounding areas which was opened on Monday, preliminary investigations have not ruled out the possibility of human error and or sabotage. 

“Botshelo Water Board has also reported that Molopo Oog which normally supplies Mafikeng with an average of 1200 cubic meters per hour has now has dropped to 740  cubic meters per hour thus decreasing  the normal total supply of water” Premeir spokesperson,Kgwele asserted.

The Water Board appeals to the community of Mahikeng, government departmentsand businesses to use water sparingly and refrain from watering their gardens until the water supply improves.  

Follow me on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews