SA needs R400bn to fix water system, minister says after Seshego plant visit

South Africa will need about R400 billion to fix its failing water system, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina said during an oversight visit to the Seshego treatment plant outside Polokwane, Limpopo, yesterday.

What the minister said

Majodina told reporters the repair process will take years. During the visit she also emphasised regional water-sharing arrangements, saying:

“Though we do not have enough water in South Africa, I am happy that every Southern African Development Community country has mastered the art of sharing water. We are currently sharing water with Zimbabwe, Lesotho and others.”

Seshego treatment plant details

The state-of-the-art Seshego treatment plant was funded by the department to the tune of R234 million from the department’s regional bulk infrastructure grant. The plant is currently producing 5.9 million litres of water per day and serves the township of Seshego and its extensions, home to about 91,500 people.

Local concerns: water theft and tanker mafias

Polokwane mayor John Mpe said he was worried about the escalating number of water tanker mafias in Polokwane and surrounding townships and villages. He described a recent enforcement action with Limpopo premier Phophi Ramathuba in which they “caught people red-handed stealing and selling our water.”

Mpe added:

“We now have a considerable number of police cases going through the courts. We, as government, are appealing to our people to work with us to nail these people.”

Provincial projects and responses

Recently, the ANC in Limpopo said the province was rolling out water-related projects to the tune of R25 billion. ANC Limpopo secretary Vhamusanda Reuben Madadzhe said the party resolved that the rapid response task team and Ramathuba must intervene in all projects that have not been completed for a considerable period.

The minister’s remarks underline the scale of investment and time the government says is required to address South Africa’s water infrastructure challenges.