The African National Congress convened a Provincial Water Intervention meeting on 30 September 2024 to deliberate on water issues with all stakeholders.
The meeting was led by premier, Mandla Ndlovu with Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo.
Despite the immeasurable progress the ANC-led government has registered in extending access to water for many residents of the province since 1994, there are new problems emerging in the water sector which include old infrastructure and drought due to global warming which require its immediate attention.
Several municipalities were highlighted as confronted by inadequate and ageing water infrastructure, low levels of water in the dams, water wastages through water leaks and irrigation.
In consolidating the deliberations, the meeting resolved to adopt a Seven-Point Plan as the way-forward to address the water problems in Mpumalanga Province in the medium and long term.
The Seven-Point Plan is as follows:
- Water Security:
- A number of municipalities have been identified to be prioritise where the premier, the Minister of Water and Sanitation and the Minister of Electricity would discuss the appropriate solutions for municipalities.
- Incomplete Projects:
- Reviewal of the database of incomplete water projects through physical site inspections and develop an acceleration plan for each project with timeframes.
- Operational Inefficiencies:
- The Water Technical Task Teams have been established with clear daily, weekly and monthly reporting protocols at the three Districts and at Provincial levels.
Support Packages:
All business plans be concluded for funding through Budget Facility for Infrastructure and BRICS Bank, DBSA and others.
Implementation model of Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV):
- Concessions and others for projects of more than 10 years period of implementation.
- Develop Strategic intervention:
- Approach for major towns such as Emalahleni, City of Mbombela, Govan Mbeki and Steve Tshwete, including densely populated municipalities such as Bushbuckridge, Nkomazi and Thembisile Hani and Dr JS Moroka.
- Municipalities to engage communities on credible Revenue Enhancement and Credit Control:
- To ensure payment of the municipal services by all, following data cleansing and correct billing.
Municipalities should work towards a reduction of non-revenue water from current 51% to between 20% and 30% over a period.
