Question NW319 to the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation

Reply:

(1) (a) In response to the recent protests that occurred in January 2020 regarding addressing challenges of water availability in QwaQwa in the Free State I had committed to the following:

• Sedibeng Water would be appointed as the implementing agent with regard to all issues related to water challenges.
• A total amount of R220 million will be ring fenced to address water challenges faced by the community of Qwaqwa.
• A total of 5000 water tanks to be procured to increase the number of water tankers (trucks) on the ground
• Equip boreholes to provide water relief
• Explore new technologies to address water challenges
• Establish a Hotline and Call Centre to deal with immediate challenges related to water.
• Sedibeng Water to establish the War Room.

(b) Progress made with regard to the commitments made by the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation are as follows:

• Sedibeng Water was appointed as the Implementing Agent for drought intervention in Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality.
• R54 million was allocated in the financial year ending March 2020. More funds are to be allocated in this financial year.
• Seventeen (17) boreholes were equipped with submersible pumps and hand pumps and a total of five (5) boreholes were equipped and connected to the network.
• Potential service providers were invited and presented their technologies which included:
  • • • Package Water Treatment Works that can be installed quicker than the conventional Water Treatment Works.
      • Pumps that do not use electricity.
• A Steering Committee was established and consists of various stakeholders from the community and government representatives.
• Stakeholders Forum has been established and is chaired by the Free State MEC COGTA.
• Maluti-A-Phofung Drought Intervention Programme War Room has also been established by the Sedibeng Water Board.
• A call centre has been equipped and resourced and an application done to Telkom for a hotline which will be operational once Telkom has finalised the installation.
• 136 units of 5,000 litres (5 kL) water tanks have been distributed.
• 30 units of 10,000 litre (10 kL) tanks have been distributed.
• Construction of masonry tank stands has commenced in Ward 28 (Leribe, Theosane, Mabolela and Mabolela Central) and Ward 15 (Thabang, Masimong, Madimong, Sekgutlong).
• 25 Water Tankers of 16 000 litre capacity are delivering water to the affected areas.
• The Maluti-A-Phofung LM has hired 29 trucks from the local contractors.

(2) Progress is as indicated in (1)(b) above.