The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) summarised the challenges it faces with six mega water resource projects in the country at a National Assembly meeting on Tuesday, 22 September.
This comes after the DWS updated the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation on strategic mega water resources infrastructure projects under construction.
Disruptions
Dr Sean Phillips, the Director-General of the DWS, said community groupings often disrupt projects. Phillips explained that to mitigate this risk, DWS consults with the local communities and, where relevant, with traditional leaders to inform them of the project, its intended benefits, and the employment opportunities.
“The department engages with business forums which come forward and provides them with information regarding opportunities on the projects, and the processes through which these can be accessed. We offer training to local contractors and suppliers on how to submit bids to the main contractors,” Phillips said.
“The department’s construction unit has sometimes not performed well, largely due to procurement challenges. We are in the process of putting in place a range of three-year framework contracts. This will enable material to be procured much more quickly and efficiently,” he said.
Lesotho Highlands Water Project
The DWS said construction on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project is underway by an international contractor appointed by the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA). The DWS said the project will add 490 million cubic metres per year to the Integrated Vaal River System, enabling Rand Water to abstract more water from the Vaal Dam and supply additional water to municipalities in Gauteng.
The project began in November 2018 and is expected to be completed by December 2029. The DWS said construction to date is at 56.8%. There are delays with Polihali Dam construction due to weather conditions, technical complexity, work and mining permits and poor contractor performance, leading to slow construction progress.
The DWS said delays with the construction of the transfer tunnel from Polihali Dam to Katse Dam are due to difficult geology.
Clanwilliam Dam Project
Raising the Clanwilliam Dam in Western Cape will enable increased agricultural growth in the area, including new allocations to resource-poor farmers, as well as domestic and industrial water supply to the municipalities. The DWS stated that the project began in 2014, with completion expected by May 2028. The construction is 47% complete.
“The project was long-delayed due to indecision in DWS, but this was resolved and the project got back on track in 2021. Progress on both the right bank and left bank excavations remains slow,” Phillips said.
Tzaneen Dam Project
The raising of Tzaneen Dam Project is 66% complete. The DWS said the critical area to be progressed is the construction of the labyrinth spillway, which is constrained by repeated flooding. The project began in February 2016 and is expected to be completed by December 2026.
Phillips said the project delays were caused by above-normal rainfall resulting in dam overspilling and the temporary suspension of spillway works, as well as procurement challenges. He said there was a delay in the appointment of the tower crane service provider.
Mzimvubu Water Project
The Mzimvubu Water Project – Ntabelanga Dam and associated works project in the Eastern Cape is 15% complete. The project began in February 2015, and completion is expected by March 2030. Once completed, the DWS stated that it will have a storage capacity of 490 million cubic metres and a yield of 241 million cubic metres per annum.
“Delays are due to the unavailability of suitable construction materials because of poor performance by suppliers and work disruptions by a business forum and the community, resulting in the closure of the site. The latest disruption by the community led to a site closure that lasted for 4 months,” Phillips said.
Professional engineers hired
David Mahlobo, the DWS deputy minister, said the department has been transparent with its projects. Mahlobo, who was appointed to DWS in 2021, said the projects were initiated in the previous administration prior to his arrival. He said he was pleased with the current work being done by the various DWS entities. Mahlobo added that the DWS hired professional engineers in management to turn things around in the department.
“When we came in, the department was bankrupt. We owed billions and could not do much. We had a turnaround plan. We understand Reddy’s frustration. During our tenure, we decided we have to do something to unblock these problems. We made a decision that these projects must be brought back to life. We have done a planning cycle. If people are going to judge us, let them judge us on the progress we are making,” Mahlobo said.
