Progress is being made in fixing Matjhabeng sanitation challenges – Minister Mchunu.

Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu has applauded the progress made in attending to the sewer spillages in Matjhabeng Local Municipality in the Free State and committed to continuous monitoring of the work being done in the municipality.

The Minister said he was happy with the work done thus far, adding that it was important to rehabilitate the municipality back to an economically active municipality.

“We’ve been here a few times and made an undertaking that we will assist in resolving the sewer challenges faced by this municipality. Now, the purpose of this visit was to check on how far or not work has been done. 

“We wanted to make sure when we go to public platforms and talk about the work we are doing on the ground, we are sure of what we are talking about, and have seen it,” Minister Mchunu explained.

The Minister was invited by the Mayor of Matjhabeng, Councillor Thanduxolo Khalipha, to assess progress on sewer spillage rehabilitation work being done in the municipality since the last visit earlier this year.

Cllr Khalipha and Minister Mchunu were joined by the Bloemwater Board Chairperson, Tefetso Phitsane. The Water Board was appointed as the implementing agent after the municipality declared itself a disaster area due to the sewer problems and dysfunctional wastewater treatment plants.

The municipality’s sewer network comprises of 1534km with 25 929 manholes, 57 pump stations and 11 Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW). A total of 51 of the pump stations and 9 WWTWs are currently not functional due to various challenges such theft, vandalism, illegal mining activities, misuse of sewer, ageing infrastructure, and illegal mining, etc.

The Department has committed R425 million to assist in resolving the Matjhabeng wastewater problems. Of the committed budget, R150 million has been allocated in this financial year to repair and refurbish some of the WWTWs, pump stations and repair of manholes.

Minister Mchunu says the department will be keeping a close eye to ensure that the money is used correctly for the benefit of the people of Matjhabeng.

“We are going to make sure that the money we allocated is going where it is meant to go, that the entire budget does what it is meant to do,” Minister Mchunu declared.

The Minister’s Matjhabeng infrastructure assessment kicked off at the Lakeview pump station, which was refurbished through a partnership with Sibanye Mine. The pump station currently pumps 6megalitres per day, feeding into Theronia WWTW which was the second stop for the day. The WWTW began operations on 2 November 2022 and progress on the operations will be monitored as more waste is pumped in.

After assessing the T8 pump station in Thabong Township, Minister Mchunu joined a cleaning campaign led by the municipality next to the station and cautioned residents from disposing waste on non-dumping sites as this may result in health and environmental hazards.

The day was concluded with a community engagement in Thabong township where the Mayor and the Minister updated community members and various stakeholders on the day’s activities and how far progress is in getting the municipality back to its former glory.

Addressing the attendees, Mayor Khalipha thanked the Minister for his swift response to his request for intervention.

“After informing Minister Mchunu, within 7 days, he acknowledged our letter and made a commitment to intervene in the Matjhabeng challenges,” said Khalipha.

Minister Mchunu reiterated the importance of partnership with the private sector, saying he is glad that Sibanye stepped in to help where the municipality was failing.

“We are very happy with these partnerships in that as we work and commit 50/50 with the private sector, we both watch each other on whether we are delivering on our commitments and agreements,” Minister emphasised.

Minister Mchunu then urged the community to use water sparingly. He highlighted that South Africa does not have a water crisis but is a water scarce country.

Source: Government of South Africa