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The people of Petrus Steyn continue to struggle with an unsustainable water supply due to poor management of the Nketoana Bulk Water Scheme. This is evident from an inspection conducted by the Democratic Alliance (DA) local Councillor Mike Botha and myself to the pump station, water treatment plant and the incomplete water pipeline.
In replies to questions by DA Member of the National Council of Provinces George Michalakis to the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation it was revealed that the crucial 42 km water pipeline between Reitz and Petrus Steyn was delayed due to poor planning, design and contract administration. This has led to legal proceedings between Khato Consulting Engineers and the Nketoana Municipality.
A new company, Pro-Plan Consulting Engineers, has since been appointed to complete the design and finalisation of the Water Use License. Due to the poor management by the Nketoana Municipality of the Nketoana Bulk Water Supply Scheme, the responsibility of implementing agent was taken away from them and given to Sedibeng Water Board to complete. A budget of R125 082 318 was allocated to this project while R65 919 534 was spent by October 2019. The Minister has given a new date of November 2020 for the completion of the last phase of this project.
The DA remains disappointed that poor management by both the contractor and the Municipality have delayed the residents of Petrus Steyn/Mamafubedu’s right to a healthy and sustainable water supply. The local water supply infrastructure is also in a state of disrepair and has been vandalised. Last year the frustrated waterless residents in Mamafubedu protested and burn the Mayor Maditswako Mokoena’s residence.
The DA will continue to monitor the progress of this pipeline to ensure that residents are able to access their constitutional right to water, without which they cannot survive.