Picture: The Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Sello Seitlholo/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
4 September 2024- The Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation (DWS), Sello Seitlholo has encouraged municipalities of Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality in North West and Phokwane Local Municipality in Northern Cape, to give urgency to the basic service of water supply to the communities they serve.
This comes after the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District and Phokwane Local Municipalities experienced unreliable water supply, which has led to communities calling on the Department of Water and Sanitation to intervene.
Seitlholo met with two municipalities on Monday in Vryburg, to discuss water supply challenges regarding a trans-boundary bulk water supply scheme that provides water to the two provinces.
“We recommended that the two municipalities resolve and finalise those water services challenges speedily. The Department of Water and Sanitation is aware of the battle water communities are facing, especially women.
“This situation should not be prolonged anymore. We must have a sense of urgency and be proactive when dealing with issues of water supply to our communities,” he said.
Seitlholo further said he is satisfied with the short-term interventions by the department, with the support of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) in both provinces. He added that in six weeks’ time, a contractor appointed by Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, would begin with the facilitation of refurbishing and revitalizing two boreholes in Sekhing village, near Taung.
“The CoGTA in North West has assisted with a borehole in Upper Majeakgoro village, and the electrification of the borehole will be undertaken by the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality.
“In addition, Phokwane Local Municipality in Northern Cape is also in a process of refurbishing a pipeline and the pump station, while water tankering will be provided as an interim solution to address the current water challenges to the communities,” said Seitlholo.
He also lambasted unlawful actions of connecting illegally to water infrastructure, as well as its sabotage and vandalism. Seitlholo warned those who tampered with water valves and those who are in cohort with construction mafias.
“Municipalities should expose perpetrators, who sabotage infrastructure in order to benefit from water tankering to communities. I want a report of these service providers for water tinkering. I also want their schedule of providing water and a full audit of water tankers should be conducted in this province,” he said.
The Guardian 