Executive Undertaking: Minister of Water and Sanitation

Meeting report

The Chairperson made brief opening remarks, and welcomed all present in the meeting.

Mr Senzo Mchunu, Minister of Water and Sanitation, introduced the team from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS),and thanked the Committee for their indulgence when the Department had previously been unable to meet with the Committee.

Sol Plaatjie Local Municipality water and wastewater management

Dr Sean Phillips, Director General (DG): DWS, introduced the team and handed over to Ms Iketletso Lekalake, Head of the DWS Northern Cape Provincial Office, who made the presentation to the Committee. The presentation covered background information, sewer challenges, water challenges and funding requirements to refurbish infrastructure at the Sol Plaatjie Local Municipality. This was a follow-up on undertakings made by the Minister to the National Council of Provinces on 12 May 2022.

Dr Phillips referred to the budget for infrastructure, where the Municipality had been assisted by National Treasury, and said that the application to refurbish the main supply line, the old asbestos distribution pipes, to upgrade the Riverton water treatment works (WTW) and to refurbish pump stations, was for R1.9 billion. R86 million had been approved for the 2023/24 financial year, R492 million for the 2024/25 financial year, and R574 million for the 2025/26 financial year. These funds had been allocated to the Sol Plaatjie Municipality, but were channelled through the Department. This allowed the Department to closely monitor and assist the Municipality with the expenditure. This was a substantial amount of money, adding up to more than R1 billion. If the Municipality did not show that it could spend the money within the current financial year, National Treasury had the right to withdraw and reduce the allocation. The allocation for the second and third year was dependent on proof of expenditure in the current year, or first year.

(Refer to presentation slides for further details).

Discussion

Ms S Shaikh (ANC, Limpopo) said the Committee should appreciate the presentation and note the Department's progress on the relevant undertakings given in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).

She asked how the court interdict against the Municipality had reached this point, and why there were no other means to address the issue. She did not see any information in the presentation on a district development model (DDM) framework and asked whether the matter had also been discussed at this level. On the discharge of effluent causing damage to the environment, what had been done for the rehabilitation of this process?

DWS's response

Ms Lekalake said the challenges of the Municipality had been discussed at the DDM level, and the Department worked closely with the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA). Between 2015 and the present, a lot had been invested, and the court process aimed to have a structural interdict to ensure that the Municipality could be held accountable and that investments were properly operated and maintained. This would set the tone for other municipalities.

Regarding the National Water Act, certain measures could be taken to engage with the Municipality to get action plans, but when this failed, the only option was to approach the court, particularly when there were risks to life and infrastructure.

She said the Department had not yet started on rehabilitation, as the flows to the pan, spillages and wastewater treatment facilities were not performing optimally. Once the source was addressed, the pans could be rehabilitated.

The Chairperson referred to the background on page six of the presentation, and asked whether the roads were accessible to traffic. The DWS had said the Municipality needed to account for itself, but how would the Department ensure that the Municipality was held accountable?

DG Phillips said DWS made the presentation as the regulator and the body which provided the grants from National Treasury. The Department had said the Municipality must account for its water services function, and it was not the role of the DWS to ensure that the Municipality was accountable. Its role was simply to regulate, and it had a constitutional duty to support the Municipality. There were other democratic mechanisms for the Municipality to be held accountable, such as being called to account to Parliament. There was a severe problem with maintenance and infrastructure within the Municipality, and the Department could repeatedly allocate money to it to improve and rehabilitate, but without proper maintenance and operation, the infrastructure would again rapidly deteriorate.

Ms Lekalake said the R31 road was currently accessible.

Minister Mchunu said the approach to the Municipality had been comprehensive to improve its capacity. Its engagement with the Municipality stemmed from 2021, when it had complained about capacity and non-revenue water, which was at 60%, and was quite alarming. There were also backlogs on water and sanitation. The DWS did not want the Municipality to lose funding, as it was desperately needed. The Department would intervene, possibly in 3 weeks. The Mangaung, Matjhabeng, eThekwini, Nelson Mandela and Polokwane municipalities, and all other municipalities in Gauteng, would be engaged. Tshwane Municipality would be dealt with on a one-on-one basis in the coming days. He emphasised that all municipalities would be held accountable for their responsibilities.

The Chairperson made brief closing remarks and thanked all present in the meeting.

The meeting was adjourned.

National Council of Provinces), [Overseeing and scrutinising the implementation of the executive undertakings made by the Minister of Water and Sanitation: During the Sittings of 12 May 2022, the Minister made undertakings, among others, in relation to the Department of Water and Sanitation also working closely with the province on efforts to resolve sewer spillages in Platfontein, to ensure that economic activities are not disrupted. To this end, the province has advised that bulk water pipes from Riverton to Kimberley are experiencing severe leaks which have contributed to the obstruction of the R31 road and access to the surrounding areas],