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Telephone: 082 805 7553
Reference: 6/2/2/6
MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES: QUESTION 129 FOR WRITTEN REPLY
A draft reply to the above by Mr V M Manzini (DA-Mpumalanga) is attached
for your consideration.
DIRECTOR-GENERAL
DATE:
DRAFT REPLY APPROVED/AMENDED
MRS B E E MOLEWA, MP
MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
DATE:
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO. 129
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 16 MARCH 2012
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 07)
129. Mr V M Manzini (DA-Mpumalanga) to ask the Minister of Water and
Environmental Affairs:
(1) Whether the community of Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga has access
to bulk water supply; if not, why not; if so, what are the
relevant details;
(2) whether the bulk water infrastructure project has been replaced;
if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) why and
(b) what are the further relevant details;
(3) whether the employment practices of the Injaka Water Supply
Project have been found to be fair and transparent; if not, what
is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant
details;
(4) whether she will launch an investigation into the matter; if
not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
CW176E
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REPLY:
1) Only 40% of the Bushbuckridge community (i.e. Ludlaw, Hluvukani
and villages around Thulamahashe township) has access to bulk
water supply. The remaining 60% are receiving water supply from
smaller water treatment works, small dams and/or production
boreholes. It should however be noted that during long
breakdowns and scheduled maintenance shutdowns on the bulk
distribution systems, the community is provided with water
supply through water tankers.
2) During the implementation process of the Acornhoek Bulk Pipeline
Project to supply water to the Bushbuckridge community, the
Department discovered that the quality of the GRP pipes was poor
as the pipes failed the required water pressure tests once
installed mainly because of manufacturing deficiencies. In an
attempt to safeguard the quality of water for human consumption,
the Department swiftly resolved to undertake to replace the poor
quality pipes with steel pipes and this work is expected to be
completed by the end of October 2012. The progress thus far is
as follows:
⢠1 km of the 22.7km 700mm pipes has been replaced.
⢠The entire 2.9km of the 500 mm has been replaced.
⢠0.75km of the 1.5km 400mm pipe has been replaced.
(3) The employment practices of the project which entail the
appointment of a Community Liason Officer through the
Implementing Agentâs Labour Desk have been agreed upon by all
relevant stakeholders (i.e. Ward Councillor, Bushbuckridge Local
Municipality, the Department of Water Affairs and the Project
Steering Committee). In addition, the system of appointing
members of the community (which entails the collection of
peopleâs Identity Documents wishing to be part of the project
and randomly choosing prospective employees) is also well
accepted and considered as fair and transparent by relevant
stakeholders.
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(4) Regarding the Acornhoek Bulk Pipeline Project, the Department
has already launched an investigation into the faulty pipes and
on completion of the investigation, the outcomes could be made
available following the proper Government processes. However, I
can point out that the construction work to replace the faulty
pipes is progressing as planned.
Regarding the manner in which the required workforce is
recruited within the community, as stated above in response (3),
the employment practices are conducted in a transparent manner
and monthly project progress and co-ordination meetings with all
relevant roleplayers are conducted.
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