The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Enoch Mgijima municipality has submitted a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application to uncover the truth behind the failure of the Xonxa dam water augmentation project in Komani. The application seeks all documentation related to the project since its inception.
The severe water scarcity in Komani and surrounding areas is not solely due to drought, but also a result of inadequate long-term planning.
The Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) is responsible for the provision of water and sanitation services to this local municipality and, as the implementing agent, initiated the Xonxa dam project in March 2012, with the goal of benefiting Komani residents and 12 Machibini villages.
The project’s scope involved seven phases, with an initial cost of R470.8 million in 2011, escalating to R657.7 million by 2024. Unfortunately, the project has faced significant challenges, including financial constraints, pump failures, and mechanical issues, resulting in an additional R21 million in repair costs.
Despite being aware of the low water levels at the Bongolo dam since 2012, the CHDM continued to rely on it as a primary water source. This, combined with recurring water infrastructure failures at the Waterdown dam, raises concerns about the municipality’s ability to manage water resources effectively.
With the Xonxa dam at 99.7% capacity, it’s imperative to address the delays that have severely impacted the lives of thousands of people. Our PAIA application aims to uncover the facts, including:
- All records related to the project’s tender process.
- A detailed account of expenditure per phase of the project.
- Reasons for delays and associated costs.
- Any outstanding payments and the recipients.
- Minutes from council meetings related to the project.
Residents in the Enoch Mgijima municipality have endured not only days, but weeks without running water and we appreciate the Gift of the Givers’ assistance in providing water tanks and drilling boreholes.
The lives of our people and their basic human right to access to sufficient water should not be jeopardised by the neglect and poor planning of municipalities.
The DA will hold the CHDM accountable and will continue to fight for the restoration of basic water services to the residents of Enoch Mgijima.