DWS chief grilled over water crisis

Councillors air frustrations at receiving ‘no answers’ on issue

❝ I think the chief director is avoiding the questions

Ray Schenk WARD 10 COUNCILLOR

Chief regional director of the department of water and sanitation (DWS) Portia Makhanya was at the Ndlambe special council meeting on Wednesday and was asked to explain the current situation with respect to the water crisis.

Councillors at the meeting, which was called to discuss the adjustment budget, shook their heads as Makhanya was asked to address the chamber and explain what was happening with Amatola Water, the implementation agent appointed by DWS.

Ndlambe speaker Vivian Maphaphu restated the council’s resolution to get rid of Amatola Water so that Ndlambe could use the allocated funds to implement a system that worked.

Before Makhanya began, municipal manager Rolly Dumezweni also reiterated the council resolution to get rid of Amatola Water and said that a letter had been sent explaining the council’s position, asking for an answer.

Makhanya began by saying that she and her department had focused on resolving the problems rather than on responding to the MM’s letter.

It was established that there are a number of parties involved in attempting to get water to Ndlambe.

Makhanya said the DWS, using funds provided by government, was forced to appoint Amatola Water as its implementation agent because of a lack of resources to handle the project inhouse.

“Amatola Water is just an extension of the DWS,” Makhanya said.

“The minister [Lindiwe Sisulu] gives direction directly to Amatola Water.

“I humbly request that the letter from the MM be sent to the minister so that it is one political office to another political office.” Ward 10 councillor Ray Schenk was disappointed and frustrated.

“We are receiving no answers to the problems. I think the chief director is avoiding the questions,” Schenk said.

“According to the news, the minister has just appointed Amatola Water to oversee the drought relief in the area.” The other councillors agreed. Maphaphu then said there was no political will to assist, while the people at Amatola Water sat in their big offices.

Councillor Ayanda Nqosha added that there had been no help for the people over the years [that the project had continued].

Makhanya spoke of the new package desalination plant and how she had recently worked through a weekend and personally secured the initial R20m and then another R80m from the drought relief fund, as well as from Amatola Water to ensure the plant would be operational.

Makhanya then spoke of the contractual issues that had presented themselves and thus prevented progress on the bulk water project.

She was careful not to give “false information” but said the package RO plant should be finalised by the end of the financial year in March and that there would be a further 18 months for the completion of all outstanding work. Apparently there had been problems with testing the lines that have been laid, and that valves had to be installed in the pipes for the testing to be completed.

Mayor Khulelwa Ncamiso asked for clarity, saying she did she understand that there would be no water available in the taps for 18 months.

At this point, Makhanya answered that it should be less than 18 months.

Ncamiso said Amatola Water should stick to its primary business and allow Ndlambe to stick to its primary business.

Councillor Thembakile Mbunge said: “We are getting conflicting stories. Originally we were told just seven months, now it’s 18.”

Councillor Joc Guest spoke of the pipes that lay for over two years along the side of the R72 and had encountered considerable damage over that time.

“No wonder there are leaks,” she said.

After the meeting, Makhanya agreed to a brief interview with TotT.

She explained that there was, effectively, a triparty alliance between the minister and DWS, Amatola Water and Ndlambe Municipality, but emphasised that the minister communicated with Amatola Water directly on occasion.

Asked if she understood the anger and frustration of the citizens that while all the politicking was going on they had no answers and no water in their taps, Makhanya said she did.

She said the new package RO plant at the Kowie River should be completed and delivering 5ML by the end of June.

Dumezweni then countered that the municipality was aware the appointed contractor had begun work assembling the plant and that it would be delivered prefabricated and just assembled on site, and should be ready earlier than June.