CHDM takes over running of Xonxa bulk water project

Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) council has resolved to repatriate the Xonxa Dam Transfer Scheme’s Machibini bulk pipeline from the Chris Hani Development Agency (CHDA) back to CHDM due to a court interdict.

According to CHDM executive mayor Lusanda Sizani the project would be implemented by CHDM following internal procurement processes.

Sizani, speaking during a council meeting on Monday, said: “The decision was taken by council to speed up implementation of infrastructure projects.

“CHDA has, among other projects, received an regional bulk infrastructure grant (RBIG) project that is under Xonxa bulk phase six, which is meant to receive water from Xonxa Dam, purify it at Machibini Water Treatment Works, then transfer it to Ilinge to supply Machibini villages,” he said.

Sizani said the project was awarded by CHDA to a contractor which was subsequently challenged and the matter remained before the courts.

“The challenge emanated from the procurement process that was allegedly flawed.

“The main contractor was challenged, having already laid a long length of pipeline,” Sizani said.

He said the total budget for the project was R126m.

“The main contractor, including indirect fees, spent R41m to date and left a balance of R85m.”

According to Sizani, CHDM has found itself constrained in implementing RBIG projects and speeding up expenditure on the RBIG grant.

“It has come pertinent that the decision to repatriate the project back to CHDM be considered to ensure the provision of safe and healthy environment to our citizens,” he said.

He said this would be realised through taking the project back and implement it to completion.

“The latter is further motivated by the fact that the Machibini Water Treatment Works is approaching 50% completion and will not realise the intended result of delivering water to Ilinge, should the pipeline not have been completed in time,” Sizani said.

“The bulk line will convey water from WTW to Machibini villages and Ilinge Township,” he said.

Sizani said, reading from the legal opinion sought, it was believed with conviction that CHDM was not cited on court papers as a defendant and could, in that instance, repatriate and implement the project itself by following its own internal procurement process.

“This would mean the project will be re-measured and we would issue new documentation for the outstanding work to be carried forward into construction,” he said.

Sizani said in their visits to the local municipalities, they noticed that there were water problems throughout the district.

Council noted and accepted the decision.