Speech on the Consideration of Report of PC on Water and Sanitation on follow-up visit to Limpopo Province to assess progress on the Giyani Bulk Water Project from 18–19 April 2023
Speech by ACDP MP, Wayne Thring

Issued by the ACDP Parliamentary Media Office

Giyani bulk water project challenges are a cut and paste of those found around the country

Sep 8, 2023

“Honourable House Chairperson,

The ACDP welcomes this frank report from the Department on the progress made and challenges faced on the Giyani bulk water project in Limpopo. The project was intended to supply potable water to some 55 villages. The Nandoni Dam was completed in 2005 to augment the Nsami and Middle Letaba water systems in the greater Giyani Municipal area.

To date, the majority of the residents in the said 55 villages still use pit latrines and do not have sufficient access to potable water. The challenges at the Giyani bulk water project are like a cut and paste of those found around the country:

  • Corruption, which has become public enemy number one in SA.
  • A lack of consequence management.
  • A misalignment with the Department and Municipal inability or incompetence.
  • A lack of maintenance of old treatment works and dysfunctionality of new water treatment works.
  • Theft and vandalism of 68 of the 154 boreholes, meant to benefit the people.
  • Some municipalities lack the ability to function as water user authorities or water service providers.

These challenges in Limpopo, are also played out in Mpumalanga where for the past few months the residents of White River have had little to no water, especially in the elevated areas of the town. When water does come out the taps, it looks like sewer water. Currently, there is no water from the Boschrand, Phumlani and Sand River pump stations, allegedly affected by loadshedding. A crisis far bigger than Eskom is looming in South Africa. It is a water and sanitation crisis.

The National Water and Sanitation Master Plan makes for sombre reading. As a water-scarce country, SA loses 35% of its water through leakage. In Limpopo, more than half of all water supplied is lost. Operationally, local government infrastructure is a mess with about 44% of the 962 water treatment works, and 56% of the 1 150 municipal wastewater treatment works in poor or critical condition. They are described by the report as “in need of urgent rehabilitation and skilled operators”. “Some 11% of this infrastructure is completely dysfunctional”.

It is time for change and solutions. The ACDP is the solution.”

-ENDS-

Home Affairs must be efficient, ethical, and compassionate

Home Affairs must be efficient, ethical, and compassionate

Chairperson, The ACDP acknowledges the strides made by the Department of Home Affairs in digital transformation, including the rollout of biometric identity systems and the clearing of long-standing visa backlogs. These are commendable steps towards restoring dignity...

ACDP questions poultry vaccine safety amid Bird Flu concerns

ACDP questions poultry vaccine safety amid Bird Flu concerns

Honourable House Chairperson, The ACDP affirms the vital role of agriculture in securing food, growing rural development and building economic resilience. Food producers are the backbone of national survival and sovereignty. The Department’s 2025/26 allocation of R7.6...

ACDP challenges GCIS to restore trust in government communication

ACDP challenges GCIS to restore trust in government communication

House Chairperson, The ACDP posits that today, we are not merely debating a budget, but affirming the constitutional imperative of transparent, inclusive, and accountable communication between the government and the people it serves. The Government Communication and...