Shameful state of affairs at Giyani water project

The Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation is disappointed with the progress made towards completing the Giyani Bulk Water Project following an oversight visit to the area on Monday.

It was learnt that the committee visited the area as a follow-up to the work of the previous portfolio committee in the fifth Parliament and was hopeful that the identified villages would be benefiting from the project by now. Committee Chairperson Machwene Semenya reportedly said they left Giyani dejected by the state of affairs as villagers continue to suffer the hardship of lack of water despite the huge investment that has been made through the fiscus.

She further said the committee was also disappointed to hear that the information that 22 of the 55 villages were receiving water as provided by the implementing agent, Lepelle Northern Water and the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) was incorrect. According to her, the committee intentionally requested to visit some of the 22 villages to see first-hand the provision of water. She added that it was disappointing to find dry taps and reiterated that they have thus concluded that the report was inaccurate.

“The committee found it unacceptable that while bulk infrastructure was being developed by Lepelle Northern Water, the Mopani District Municipality had not made provision to develop reticulation infrastructure to take the water from reservoirs to households.

The committee has instructed all parties to heighten collaboration to eliminate any disjuncture,” Semenya emphasised.

Regarding consequence management, the committee is concerned that despite the completion of a forensic investigation into the project, consequence management for those in the wrong has not been implemented. Semenya indicated that it was unacceptable that three years down the line there was still no accountability for the delays in completing the project.

Semenya further cautioned that while the committee acknowledges that the matter is now under investigation by security structures, it does not in any way impede the conclusion of internal processes.