Only nine of 55 villages get water from controversial multibillion-rand Giyani project

Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina and Deputy President Paul Mashatile went with a delegation to visit the Giyani Water Project in Limpopo on Friday, 6 September 2024. The project has been marred by delays and controversy for several years now. (Photo: Bernard Chiguvare)

By Bernard Chiguvare for GroundUp

9 Sep 2024

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has promised that by November a dozen more villages will get tap water via the Giyani Water Project.

Only nine of the 55 villages in Giyani, Limpopo, get their water from the Giyani Water Project, according to Deputy President Paul Mashatile.

“We got reports that the other villages will get water within two years. But we would like to speed up the process,” said Mashatile.

He was visiting the Giyani Water Project with Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina on Friday to assess progress at the project. Mashatile is the chairperson of the special task team established to address water challenges across the country.

While there has been progress, many villages within the Giyani area are still struggling daily to access tap water.

The bulk water project was started in 2014 and was meant to be completed by 2017. But it has been marred by controversy and failure despite an estimated spend of R4-billion. The project was resuscitated in 2021 and is expected to supply water to 55 villages in Giyani.

Liability claim

The Special Investigating Unit instituted a liability claim against three Lepelle Northern Water board executives for a R1.9-billion loss suffered by the Department of Water and Sanitation as a result of tender irregularities involved in the Giyani Water Project.

The Special Investigating Unit found that the contract was irregularly awarded and litigated to have it declared unconstitutional, invalid, and set aside. Other findings included that the supply chain management processes by Lepelle Northern Water board were flawed and contrary to legislation.

On Friday, Majodina announced that investigations into allegations of fraud and mismanagement of funds at the project were ongoing. She also said they were still looking into the claim that water from the project was being diverted by a farming company.

“The project was delayed due to alleged fraud but as investigations continue we decided to unblock the project so that residents get water,” said Majodina.

Meanwhile Mashatile promised that by November, 24 villages could be getting water from the Giyani project. Asked when other villages would get water, Mashatile said “soon”. As a measure to ensure that work on the Giyani Water Project is progressing, Mashatile committed to two water department officials remaining in Giyani to monitor its progress.

But some residents criticised the visit, saying it would not have any impact on the water crisis in their communities.

“I do not think the visit will bring any change to the community,” said Rhulani Zita from Matsotsosela village. He said many people in his village still bought water, and those who could not afford to buy it fetched it from polluted rivers.

Mashatile and his delegation also visited Nhwakhuwani village, one of the villages now receiving water. GroundUp spoke to several residents who confirmed that they had started receiving water a couple of weeks ago, but said the supply was inconsistent.

“We have to keep our drums full in case the water stops,” Francis Tshabalala told GroundUp. DM

First published by GroundUp.

Categories:

Tags:

DM is much better if you are signed in...

Business Maverick

Liability claim