Service delivery in South Africa has always been at the core of pressing issues, especially, when it comes to communities venting their frustration in anger. Tensions have been rising in the Vaal, recently, where the blockage of sewage pipes has caused major spillages which resulted in the pollution of the Vaal River.
The Vaal River is the most important source of water in this province and the Ekurhuleni Water Care Company (ERWAT) has been tasked with unblocking the sewage systems.
Minister of Human Settlement, Water and Sanitation Lindiwe Sisulu visited the area on on Tuesday, 21 January as part of the Vaal River Intervention Work aimed at assessing and monitoring the progress that has been made by ERWAT thus far. The minister also addressed the vandalism that is prevalent in the area and condemned the public for their short sightedness.
“In as much as the community becomes frustrated with the services they receive, it does not justify damaging property or infrastructure that belongs to them. When communities vandalise public infrastructure, that they are supposed to benefit from them, it is like hurting your nose because you want to spite your face’’, said Sisulu.
Sisulu made this announcement at the Emfuleni Local Municipality during a press conference which was also attended by ERWAT’s managing director, Mr Tumelo Gopane, who also gave an update on the progress made.
Mr Gopane stressed on the vandalism of infrastructure and throwing of foreign objects into manholes as their biggest challenge at the moment. “Those objects that are thrown [into manholes] end up re-surfacing and polluting Vaal River, which is the most important source of water in the country”, explained Gopane.
ERWAT also called for community awareness campaigns to be implemented in order for the challenges, already emphasised in the meeting, to be dealt with.
