Picture: The residents in Vryburg queuing for water/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Democratic Alliance in Naledi Local Municipality calls for an investigation into the water tanker contracts awarded the by the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality to supply water to residents in Vryburg. The DA’s caucus leader at Naledi Local Municipality, Hendriëtte van Huyssteen said the residents in Vryburg are faced with a humanitarian crisis, because both the local and district municipalities fail to supply dependable and sustainable piped water to their homes and businesses.
Van Huyssteen further said, in a bid to alleviate the water crisis, the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality contracted the services of water tanker operators.
“However, the allegations have been made that the same water tanker contractors meant to supply emergency water are stealing piped water from either the water reticulation infrastructure and/or municipal fire hydrants or deliberately sabotaging the municipal infrastructure to benefit from this crisis.
“To add insult to injury, Vryburg residents are required to pay R300 per refill of their JoJo tanks. The ANC in Naledi and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati have created a water crisis due to their incompetence and neglect, then contracted water tankers to alleviate the crisis, and then force residents to pay for the emergency relief,” she said.
Van Huyssteen added that the alleged theft contributes to various problematic factors that prevent the supply of piped water. She said they request an investigation into the water tanker contracts.
“This will include tabling a report identifying each water tanker contractor, the duration and cost of the contract, the details of the owner(s) and/or board of directors for each company and whether any local or district municipal officials of political office bearers hold any interest in any of the water tanker companies.
“Each contractor must also be investigated for the possible theft of water. In addition, the DA requested the establishment of a central access-controlled point for all water tanker contractors for the monitored refill of water to prevent further theft,” said van Huyssteen.
She said they have made several requests to the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District and Naledi Local Municipal administrations to address the constant water supply interruptions residents continue to endure. Huyssteen said, however, instead of fixing the problem, both municipalities only offer excuses, blaming either the Magalies Water Board, which is unable to supply water for a number of reasons, ranging from a lack of chemicals to pipe bursts along the main water supply line, or claiming that repairs on municipal infrastructure are to blame.
Meanwhile, the executive mayor of Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Motseokae Sense Maje who met with the North West Premier, Bushy Maape a few weeks ago to address water challenges in the district then said, there are strategic measures in place in quest of addressing water challenges across the district. Maje said, they are the first to admit that, there is water scarcity in the district.
“However, there are strategic measures in place to address the matter. You will remember that, some time ago, there was some unrest here in Vryburg due to water challenges.
“But, we can confirm as the district that, we have ensured there is provision of water to our people in Huhudi Township and other areas. We have also embarked on a campaign of appointing various service providers across our district to ensure there is a provision of water in those areas,” he said.
Maje said, the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District is one of the municipalities that were put under administration. He said there were many challenges they inherited when they took over back in 2021.
“Actually, the decision to put the municipality under review took place in 2018. But, as the new municipal council, we have noted that and we will work together with EXCO representatives in quest of improving our finances.
“The aim is to ensure that, we provide services to our people accordingly. What triggered the situation in our municipality, is a debt from Sedibeng Water. There is a debt of R650 million that Sedibeng Water alleges that the municipality owes them,” said Maje.
He said there is a disparity on how much exactly the municipality owes Sedibeng Water. Maje said they will work together with Sedibeng Water and ensure that the debt is removed and the municipality pays what is due.
Meanwhile, Maape said then, the Taung Dam project is almost completed. Maape said he had an oversight visit at the water augmentation plant in Taung.
“The project is at 98% to be completed and this will assist in ensuring areas like Cokonyane village receive water. However, at the moment, the majority of areas receive water. We are also looking at the pipeline from Bloemhof to Schweizer Reneke.
“Again, the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality has just signed a contract with service providers for Bona Bona Water Project. The project will provide water to Ganyesa and Morokweng villages,” he said.
The Guardian 