Today, Monday 03 October 2022, ActionSA Tshwane Regional Chairperson Oupa Mathibela conducted an inspection at the Refilwe Extension 5 reservoir in Cullinan. This follows an invitation  from the community that the city is now providing them with water not confirmed if safe for human consumption.

The reservoir that was completed in 2020, cost the City of Tshwane R42 million to build and formed part of R161 million human settlements project that commenced in the 2013/14 financial year and was supposed to be completed in 2018. 

The reservoir has not been able to supply water to these areas plagued by insufficient bulk water supply owing to vandalism. 

ActionSA has been told that, recently, a political instruction was given that the reservoir be filled with water last year to test the durability of the structure. We are disturbed to learn that the residents of Refilwe are now being given that very same water to consume.

To this effect, the Tshwane MMC for Human Settlements Cllr Abel Tau who joined the regional chairperson at the inspection together with other ActionSA MMCs in Tshwane, committed to, working with coalition partners in Council, institute scientific tests to determine if the water is safe for human consumption. The officials responsible for this call will be taken to task.

Further to this, it was visible even with a naked eye that there are structural challenges on that reservoir. This is against the City’s targets of sealing and waterproofing of the reservoir, installation of pipework in the control room, testing and commissioning and practical completion to the tune of R1 million.

In response to this, MMC Tau has called an extraordinary meeting where services of engineers will be enlisted to advise on how to fix this issue.

Regional Chairperson notes that this is a legacy issue that predates our MMCs’ occupation of office.  It’s an issue that worsened under the previous administration. Fortunately, we have an ActionSA MMC who has promised to attend to this matter.

One of ActionSA’ s core values is social justice. The people of Refilwe reached out to us for assistance and as a caring, responsive party that is rooted within communities, we will make sure that the City does right by this community.

 

Issued by ActionSA Tshwane Regional Chairperson Oupa Mathibela