Crisis water tankering ‘unsustainable’

MINISTER of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu, has warned that the method of tankering water to communities during a water crisis is not sustainable.

Sisulu was speaking at a media briefing in East London yesterday following a meeting with the province’s premier, Oscar Mabuyane, as well her deputy ministers, David Mahlobo and Pamela Tshwete, and other officials.

Various areas in the province have experienced drought over the past few months, particularly Butterworth and surrounding areas, after dam levels dwindled.

In December 2015 the Mnquma Local Municipality in the region was declared a drought disaster area by former Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle, but the situation has since deteriorated so much that residents have been forced to line up with buckets to collect water.

The Gift of the Givers last month indicated that urgent help was needed to support the Eastern Cape as well as the Northern Cape.

Sisulu said due to water scarcity, some community members were so angry that they threatened to interrupt the funeral procession of the late amaXhosa King Mpendulo Zwelonke Sigcawu, but that Tshwete had visited the area to calm tensions.

“When there is a (water) crisis, the tendency by the community is that they want water to be tankered to them. We have reservations about this method. This method is not costeffective. It might be an immediate solution, but it doesn’t last. We want long-lasting solutions,” she said.

Meanwhile, Mahlobo said the province would be financially assisted.

He said he would embark on a site visit to the Toleni Dam and the Gcuwa Dam sand water extraction site and boreholes in the Amathole District Municipality.