Jericho – Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane says communities must play their part in protecting government infrastructure that is meant to improve people’s lives.
“We can’t compromise services to our people. Water is life and sanitation is dignity. We must deal with people who steal water valves and water pumps because what they are doing is sabotage,” said Minister Mokonyane.
The Minister on Friday had a public engagement session with the community of Jericho in Brits, North West, after unveiling the Jericho Rural Water Supply Project.
The R15 million project has contributed to socio-economic upliftment and has increased the security of water supply to the communities of Jericho in Madibeng Local Municipality.
The project involves the laying of pipelines, reticulation, testing and drilling of boreholes, establishing the yield of boreholes, as well as connecting the feeder lines to the existing network and the main reservoir.
Minister Mokonyane urged business people not to use children by sending them to steal government equipment so that they can sell them in their shops.
“If you want to do business with government, don’t abuse our children and your children. Dont allow people to abuse you.”
She also warned government officials not to issue tenders fraudulently.
“Your days are numbered. We are going to establish a call centre where people can report corruption and we urge the community to report any corruption that they witness,” said Minister Mokonyane.
During the event, the Minister and North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo handed over Water-on-Wheels equipment to indigent people. Each wheel can store 100 kilolitres of water.
Resident Lesetja Tabane, 30, welcomed the Minister’s announcement on the opening of a call centre to report.
“At least now the culprits will be exposed because they are delaying the delivery of services to us,” said Tabane. – SAnews.gov.za
