The Minister of Water and Sanitation Mr Senzo Mchunu has expressed grave discontent over a growing trend of vandalism of water infrastructure. He was speaking in Midrand at Gallagher Estate on the first of his three-day Gauteng Provincial visit.
Minister Mchunu is meeting various stakeholders to assess the status of water and sanitation delivery focusing on governance, finance and service delivery from, 05-07 October 2021.
Minister Mchunu was joined by his deputies, David Mahlobo, Dikeledi Magadzi, and provincial government led by Gauteng Premier David Makhura to conceive meaningful plans aimed at improving water security and sanitation services in the province.
Setting the scene for his visit, Minister Mchunu said that vandalism of water infrastructure such as water treatment plants is a having a detrimental effect on the provision of water. Minister Mchunu suggested that a special meeting needs to be convened to focus specifically on the scourge of destruction of infrastructure.
“This is the fourth ministerial visit that we are undertaking after Free State, Eastern Cape, and Limpopo, with vandalism recurring everywhere, we need to endeavour to find solutions to this disturbing scourge. Each time it happens it is a momentous setback in our efforts to improve the lives of our people”, he emphasized.
Read: There Must be a Plan for all Taps in SA to have Water – Minister Mchunu
Deputy Minister Mahlobo singled out the issue of acid mine drainage as a matter of grave concern which is the cause of contamination of our groundwater. Furthermore, Deputy Minister Mahlobo highlighted the issue of water pollution which impacts negatively on safe drinking water.
“Gauteng is the epicenter of water pollution and more emphasis needs to be put towards addressing it, this includes the long drawn out process of the Vaal”.
Premier Makhura commended Minister and his team for the commitment to improve water security not only in Gauteng but across the country. Furthermore he also added that water consumption in the province is the highest in the country due to the ever growing population and therefore maintenance and protection of infrastructure is of utmost importance.
“Water supply interruptions in Gauteng are becoming a norm, these are worrying developments because water is life”, Premier Makhura stated.
Rand Water and Magalies Water Boards were also accorded an opportunity to present their financial performance overview, interventions implemented to ensure delivery of potable water and other projects that are on their horizons amongst other issues.
Minister Mchunu will also meet with Water Services Authorities which include Executive Mayors of Tshwane, Johannesburg, and Ekurhuleni Metros, and both Executive Mayors of Sedibeng and West Rand District Municipalities. The Gauteng Ministerial visit will be wrapped up by an engagement with Water and Sanitation forums, Water Users Association and Catchment Management Agencies.
