By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, is pleased with the progress made on the repairs and upgrade of critical bulk water infrastructure such as pipelines and pump stations in the Emfuleni Local Municipality.
Mchunu, who accompanied President Cyril Ramaphosa on an oversight visit to Emfuleni on Friday, acknowledged that at no stage in the past had government reached this level of cleaning up of sewers and fixing sanitation and water infrastructure.
They were welcomed by dirt, potholes, and litter as they made their way to some of their destinations.
“It’s the first time we’ve reached this level. Yesterday there was a meeting, first of its kind, convened by our special advisor, bringing in Rand Water, Emfuleni Local Municipality, provincial government and stakeholders; bringing them on board to make sure that whatever we have achieved and all the progress, cannot be reversed, but can only be taken up,” Mchunu said.
In order to prevent reversing, Mchunu said, Emfuleni must appoint a water and sanitation service provider under them, that will to do the job of water and sanitation services for the people of Emfuleni, at a required quality and level.
“They are seeking Rand Water to do that job as a service provider to them, instead of them doing it themselves because they have no capacity [and] I’ve seen them with my eyes. They are trying to catch up, but it is not really doable in the foreseeable future. That’s guaranteed; this report will come to us on 15 November to say we agreed,” Mchunu said.
Ramaphosa led an oversight visit by government to the Emfuleni Local Municipality in Gauteng.
The municipality incorporates areas including Vereeniging, Vanderbijlpark, Sharpeville, Sebokeng, Boipatong and others.
The economically and socially important Vaal River also flows through this area.
Joined by a number of Ministers, including Mchunu, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, and provincial and municipal leadership – the President assessed progress in improvements to service delivery, as well as challenges that remain.
The municipality has faced difficulties in the provision of water services, leading the Department of Water and Sanitation to intervene to upgrade critical bulk pipelines and pump stations infrastructure.
Lesufi said there was a need to review the funding model of municipalities and also caution and support those who were not paying for services.
He said that 10 out of 11 municipalities in Gauteng were suffering severe financial losses, adding that they were trapped in debt within State institutions.
The President’s visit took place in the context of the District Development Model (DDM), which aims to improve cooperative governance through integrated intergovernmental planning and budgeting.
It is also a fulfilment of a commitment made by the President that he would visit all provinces as part of the “Leave No One Behind” District Development Model series of Presidential Izimbizo.
During the oversight, the President visited Sebokeng Waste Water Treatment Plant, Evaton West Pump Station, and later held an engagement with local stakeholders at Vereeniging Community Hall.
Residents have complained about a lack of water provision, frequent electricity outages and collapsing road infrastructure.
The president acknowledged the challenges facing the residents of Emfuleni and made commitment that government will address those issues.
“I was exposed to the havoc, damage that sewage water has done, it is when we see these things that we are able to come up with solutions and interventions. I have seen and I will be back to see the progress,” said Ramaphosa
“People said they were grateful that government has come to see for myself, but we are grateful for the intervention of section 63 that is being implemented here.”
Ramaphosa is jetting off to France on Friday afternoon to show his support for the Springboks when they meet the All Blacks in the final of the Rugby World Cup in Paris on Saturday night.
“I am going there to encourage them as I did when I went to Japan [in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final]. I am going to encourage them and boost their morale and inform them that they are there representing 62 million South Africans.
“They must play their hearts out. They must give their all and make sure that they score those tries and penalties and bring the cup home. I believe they are very confident and I will be looking at every player’s eyes to see the level of confidence they have.”