Citizens claim that the R4.5 billion bulk water project remains incomplete, leaving 55 communities in the Mopani region, who are meant to benefit from it thirsty for years.
They reported that the project commenced in August 2014 and was scheduled for completion by 2017.
The project started with a budget of R500 million and allegedly dragged on over the years due to corruption by service providers and officials from Lepelle Northern Water.
The budget rose from R500 million to more than R4.5 billion.
According to the Department of Water and Sanitation(DWS), the primary objective of the project is to address the chronic water supply failures affecting Giyani and 55 surrounding villages in the Mopani region of Limpopo.
According to the citizen, the DWS spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa, revealed that multiple projects have been implemented in Giyani.
The projects include the raw water transfer from Nandoni to Nsami, the refurbishment and upgrade of water treatment works, portable bulk water infrastructure, and reticulation of portable water to household taps.
The project needs more funds for the construction planned for the 2026/2027 financial year at an estimated cost of R422 million, said Mavasa.
According to the citizens, the incomplete project and the corruption allegations around it have led the affected communities to make speculations.
The citizens further said that Hlopheka Shilowa from Zingi-Zingi village near Giyani, accused the government of politicking ahead of the local government elections while residents continue to compete with wild animals for dirty water in the rivers.
“We have had enough. I have even lost count of the DWS ministers that came here and claimed water was around the corner.
My message to the ANC(African National Congress) is that my vote is my secret, come the municipal elections later this year”, said Shilowa angrily.
Sub-Editor: Sekgala Mokgadi
