DURBAN - INCOMPLETE water supply projects and the building of the Stephen Dlamini dam not moving past the sod-turning stage have irked residents of Harry Gwala District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.
Last week, Premier Sihle Zikalala launched a water master plan and borehole intervention programme aimed at alleviating water shortages in rural communities.
As part of the medium-term measures, the provincial government – through the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) – has built 250 boreholes in six districts, namely Amajuba, uMkhanyakude, Zululand, uMzinyathi, uThukela and Harry Gwala.
The major water projects in KwaZulu-Natal include the uMshwathi Bulk Water Scheme (BWS) launched in November 2020 at a cost of R500 million; the Lower uMkhomazi BWS, Umgeni Water, which it is estimated will be completed in 2023; and the Cwabeni Project, which will be completed in 2022.
However, the regional leader of the IFP in Harry Gwala District, Mlindeli Ngcamo slammed Zikalala for launching the new plan, saying a similar plan was launched in 2017 and had been left unfinished.
Ngcamo said Zikalala’s visit was a mere election campaign ploy. He wanted to know what happened to the money allocated for the Stephen Dlamini Dam in 2015, because after the sod-turning ceremony nothing had happened.
“The people of Bulwer and Donnybrook are sharing water with animals. A water project was left stagnant and incomplete five years ago without any explanation. The people want the premier to re-visit the areas to see first-hand how projects were left incomplete. Opening boreholes in KwaSkeyi area does not mean the entire area would have a water supply,” Ngcamo said.
According to information obtained by the Daily News, the revised budget for the dam last year was R36 million. The tender closed in January this year. Ngcamo said the company cleared the site and then left.
Zikalala’s spokesperson Lennox Mabaso said the Premier had explained the issue of the dam during his visit.
Zikalala said the Stephen Dlamini Dam would be completed in 2023.
Regarding other water projects, Mabaso referred all queries to CoGTA. Mabaso said CoGTA was responsible for water projects in the province.
CoGTA spokesperson Senzo Mzila said the department would liaise with district officials.
They would conduct an in loco inspection based on the allegations made by Ngcamo.
Daily News