Majodina- In a significant move to enhance water security in the Western Cape, Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, officially launched the completed 12-phase water supply project in Tulbagh, a drought-prone area. The project, valued at over R113 million, aims to supply more than 1.2 million cubic meters of water to at least 10,000 households, marking a substantial investment in the region’s infrastructure.
During the launch, Minister Majodina emphasized the importance of safeguarding water resources and infrastructure. She issued a stern warning to criminal syndicates, colloquially known as the “water mafia”, who have been implicated in the vandalism of water infrastructure to create artificial shortages and profit from water tanker contracts.
“We are working with the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, because we view this as criminal behaviour. This does not start with the demand of a tender but it starts with vandalising of infrastructure and that causes harm to ordinary people and citizens as these people want to be contracted to distribute water,” Majodina stated during a media briefing in Gauteng .
Addressing Water Infrastructure Challenges by Majodina
The Tulbagh water supply project is a public-private partnership that aims to alleviate long-standing water shortages in the area. Despite the region’s abundant water from mountain snowmelt, storage has been a persistent challenge. In 2007, the Department of Water and Sanitation identified a suitable site, acquired a farm, and constructed a dam as part of a multi-phase project to address these issues.
Minister Majodina highlighted that the new system is designed to alleviate water shortages that have delayed housing projects and strained the rapidly growing community. Residents are expected to have access to clean running water starting Saturday.
Minister Majodina expressed deep concern over the increasing incidents of vandalism of water infrastructure, allegedly perpetrated by groups seeking to force municipalities to rely on private water tankers. These actions not only disrupt water supply but also undermine efforts to provide reliable and sustainable water services to communities.
“The non-revenue water is our challenge throughout the country. Gone are the days where water was reticulated and provided to our people. You meet water at the wrong places, water running down the street. And we agreed that in the first three months we must disconnect the illegal connections, deal with the water tinkering because our people want water, they want reliable water. And ours is water security,” Majodina emphasized.
The Minister’s remarks underscore the government’s commitment to addressing the root causes of water insecurity and ensuring that all South Africans have access to clean and reliable water sources.
The issue of water infrastructure vandalism is not isolated to Tulbagh. Municipalities across South Africa have reported similar challenges, with criminal syndicates exploiting water shortages for profit. These groups are accused of deliberately damaging water infrastructure to create artificial shortages, thereby increasing demand for their water tanker services.
In response, Minister Majodina has called for a collaborative approach involving various government departments, law enforcement agencies, and local municipalities to combat these criminal activities. She has also urged residents to report any incidents of vandalism promptly to facilitate swift action.
The completion of the Tulbagh water supply project marks a significant step toward achieving water security in the region. However, Minister Majodina cautioned that the fight against water infrastructure vandalism and the broader challenges of water scarcity require ongoing efforts and vigilance.
“We are committed to ensuring that all communities have access to reliable and clean water. This project is just one example of our dedication to improving water infrastructure and addressing the needs of our people,” Majodina concluded.
As South Africa continues to grapple with water scarcity and infrastructure challenges, initiatives like the Tulbagh project serve as a model for sustainable solutions that prioritize community needs and environmental stewardship.
Source- EWN
