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13 June 2019

THANK YOU!!!

I wish to thank residents for their patience and understanding during the recent water interruptions.  I must express my appreciation to the staff of the municipality, service providers and our stakeholders – Amatole Water, National Arts Festival, MBB, Rhodes University, MISA, and Department of Water and Sanitation, that worked relentlessly to resolve these issues as quickly as possible.  During this time officials, service providers and stakeholder have worked evenings and during the week-end to mitigate and resolve the water issue.  These include actions such as:

Procuring water delivery trucks Friday evening to be able to commence with water deliveries on Saturday and to continue with this until Tuesday (10/06)

On the day that the valve was opened at Botha’s Hill a casing was made and installed to prevent further unauthorised access.

The pumps were removed to be fixed in George the day after failure.  On Monday the Municipality was informed that it is going to take 4 days to get a part delivered from Gauteng to George to fix the pump.  With the assistance of NAF the part was collected in Gauteng from the supplier, delivered to Grahamstown the same evening and sent through to George the following day.  Consequently the pump was at the James Kleynhans Water Treatment Works yesterday and in operation yesterday at 18:00, whereas this would have only been possible tomorrow or Saturday.

The damaged valve at Botha’s Hill was temporarily fixed by MBB. Initially it was reported that the lead time to get a new valve was 6 to 8 weeks.  Launching a search through our stakeholders a new valve will be procured today.

Internal investigations could identify operational and staff issues that contributed to the water interruptions.  Where staff members were involved, disciplinary processes were instituted and improved controls were initiated, including spot checks.

Working with SAPS an investigation is underway as deliberate acts of sabotage are suspected.

Makana Municipality Executive Mayor Hon. Cllr Mzukisi Mpahlwa.