Government tackles Limpopo water problems

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

By Nosihle Shelembe

Pretoria – The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Nomvula Mokonyane, has promised the residents of Giyani in Limpopo access to water by the end of September.

“It cannot be that people have access to clean water in affluent suburbs, while the people of Mopani municipality don’t enjoy the same rights.

“You are equal citizens of this country and you have the right to access water as any other South African,” Minister Mokonyane said.

Giyani residents have been experiencing water problems for years, especially in winter when there is no rain. Residents in the area get their water from taps, water tankers and rivers.

“The area is facing serious challenges, as most villages depend on groundwater from boreholes.

“The communities asked the Minister, among others, to ensure that the malfunctioning boreholes are fixed as soon as possible,” Water and Sanitation Media Liaison Officer, Themba Khumalo, said.

He said some residents in Giyani were not getting purified water, as there was only one purification plant.

Minister Mokonyane appointed a task team, led by the Lepelle Water Board, to deal with all water related problems in the Mopani District Municipality.

“The team has until the end of September to put the water supply in the Greater Giyani area back to its footing,” Khumalo said.

The Department of Water and Sanitation will conduct an audit of all water resources, including boreholes, so they can be improved and upgraded to ensure sustainable water provision.

Minister Mokonyane will visit the area in the second week of September to check on the progress of the work done to fix the water problem in the area. – SAnews.gov.za