Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina says the country needs R400bn to fix water system.
Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has revealed that South Africa needs about R400bn to repair its aging water system. She was addressing the media during an oversight visit to Seshego treatment plant outside Polokwane.
According to Majodina, the repair process will take years, also emphasised regional water-sharing arrangements.
“Though we do not have enough water in South Africa, I am happy that every Southern African Development Community country has mastered the art of sharing water. We are currently sharing water with Zimbabwe, Lesotho and others.”
The Seshego treatment plant was funded by the department to the tune of R234 million from the department’s regional bulk infrastructure grant. The plant is currently producing 5.9 million litres of water per day and serves the vast township of Seshego and its extensions, home to about 91,500 people.
There have widespread concerns among locals over water theft and tanker mafias.
Polokwane Executive Mayor, John Mpe says he was worried about the escalating number of water tanker mafias in Polokwane, surrounding townships and villages. He described a recent enforcement action with Limpopo premier Phophi Ramathuba in which they reportedly caught people red-handed stealing and selling our water.
“We now have a considerable number of police cases going through the courts. We, as government, are appealing to our people to work with us to nail these people.”
Recently, the ANC in Limpopo said the province was rolling out water-related projects to the tune of R25 billion. Provincial secretary Vhamusanda Reuben Madadzhe said the party resolved that the rapid response task team and Ramathuba must intervene in all projects that have not been completed for a considerable period.
Majodina’s remarks underline the scale of investment and time the government says is required to address South Africa’s water infrastructure challenges.