Question NW1083 to the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
06 November 2019 - NW1083
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
Whether she will declare Mafikeng as a disaster-stricken area because of the water crisis facing communities, schools, clinics, libraries, and businesses in the area; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) form of relief package and intervention will be made available and (b) are the timeframes?
Reply:
Honourable Member, the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is empowered under Section 3 of the Disaster Management, Act (No. 57 of 2002), to declare a national disaster in the provinces. Accordingly, this question should be referred to my colleague, the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
The Magoegoe, Khoi Khoi, Majemantsho, Makubung and Tsetse villages located in the outskirts of the Mafikeng Local Municipality jurisdiction are currently affected by drought. Funds have been made available through the Water Service infrastructure Grant (WSIG) in the 2018/2019 financial year to refurbish the existing operating boreholes to optimise them as part of the relief programme for the areas mentioned. Progress is at 90% to completion whilst awaiting the supply of electricity by Eskom.
The Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality is a Water Service Authority with a mandate to provide the provision of water and sanitation services within its jurisdiction. The Municipality has appointed Sedibeng Water Board as a Water Service Provider to some of its local municipalities including the Mafikeng Local Municipality. The conditional assessment was conducted by Sedibeng Water Board to optimize the waste water bulk infrastructures. The recommended action was to refurbish the Mmabatho Water Treatment Works (WTW) to bring it to its original capacity of 20Ml/d had deteriorated from 20 Ml/d to 15 Ml/d due to a lack of complying with the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) by the municipality. The project was completed in December 2015.
The Department of Water and Sanitation, through the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) has availed funds for the upgrade of Mafikeng’s water infrastructure. Interventions that have been implemented and those that are ongoing to ensure water supply in the Mafikeng area include:
a) The refurbishment of six boreholes situated at the Molopo eye and Grootfontein compartment, which is another source of water supply to the Mafikeng area.
b) The pipeline from Molopo eye to Mafikeng was upgraded by the Department of Water and Sanitation through infrastructure built to ensure that the supply is sufficient to cater for the current demand. The scheme is operated by DWS and Sedibeng Water Board as the Water Service Provider.
c) A further upgrade of the Mmabatho Water Works will bring an additional capacity of 10Ml/d, for a total of 30Ml/d. The project is currently at 89% to completion on the upgrade of water works, whilst the mechanical and electrical is at 45% to completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2020.
d) Phase 3 is a construction of the Lokaleng reservoir and a 10 km bulk pipeline to connect to existing reticulation which will commence once phase 2 is completed. Completion of the entire project is anticipated in mid-2021.