Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has committed to conducting quarterly oversight visits to the R19.7 billion Mokolo-Crocodile Water Augmentation Project Phase 2A (MCWAP-2A) to monitor progress and ensure the project is completed on time and within budget.
Majodina made the commitment during an oversight visit hosted by the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) in Lephalale and Thabazimbi, Limpopo, on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.
The visit aimed to assess progress on the strategic water infrastructure project, which is expected to strengthen long-term water security and support economic and industrial development in the Waterberg District.
“These oversight visits are meant to ensure that the project is delivered on time and within budget,” Majodina said.
She was accompanied by Deputy Minister David Mahlobo and Limpopo Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA) MEC, Pule Shayi.
The Minister acknowledged TCTA’s contribution to water infrastructure development over its 40-year history, including its financing role in Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP II).
“What TCTA is doing in the funding of LHWP-2 gives me a good indication of what TCTA will be doing with this project. As the Ministry, we are also confident that this engineering piece of work, worth R19.7 billion, will continue to contribute to youth empowerment and the transfer of skills. I was particularly happy to see many young women in leadership roles on the project,” Majodina said.
TCTA Board Chairperson Precious Sibiya said the project is currently involved in multiple water infrastructure projects, and MCWAP-2A is among the critical ones.
“As TCTA is transitioning into the South African National Water Infrastructure Agency (SANWRIA), we will continue delivering to the best of our ability in project finance and implementation,” Sibiya said.
Sibiya welcomed the Minister and Deputy Minister’s support for TCTA and its work, noting that the oversight visit demonstrated recognition of the authority’s work.
She highlighted the project’s role in meeting the water requirements of flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) systems at Eskom’s Medupi Power Station.
She said the inclusion of FGD systems is a key precondition set by the World Bank for financing of the power plant and requires massive amounts of water.
With existing supplies in the Lephalale area being insufficient to meet the demand, Sibiya said Eskom has applied to abstract water from the project, one of the key achievements attributed to the project.
“Mining and power generation activities, along with population growth, have placed increasing pressure on water resources. MCWAP-2 therefore forms part of South Africa’s long-term water security strategy. It is especially critical for Limpopo Province, a region of growing industrial demand,” Sibiya said.
While MCWAP-1 successfully augmented supply to the Medupi and Matimba power stations, Sibiya said the scale of current and future demand calls for a stronger solution.
The oversight visit also provided an opportunity for the Minister, TCTA leadership and local leaders to discuss water infrastructure development and strengthen collaboration between national and local government in addressing water and sanitation challenges in the district.
MCWAP-2A is designed to transfer raw water from the Crocodile River through an approximately 140-kilometre pipeline between Thabazimbi and Lephalale.
The project includes an abstraction weir, pipeline, pump stations, ancillary infrastructure, a river management system, and an operational control centre.
Once completed, it will provide an additional bulk raw water source for major users, including Eskom’s Medupi and Matimba power stations, Exxaro’s Grootegeluk mine, and other commercial and industrial users.
Beyond supporting economic activity, the project is expected to strengthen the Waterberg District Municipality’s bulk water infrastructure, which is important for communities that depend on a reliable and sustainable water system. – SAnews.gov.za
