The Ministry of Water and Sanitation says it is accelerating the completion of the Mandlakazi Regional Bulk Water Scheme to ensure sustainable water provision in Zululand.

The water supply scheme aims to bring relief to the community of Mandlakazi, which is between Kwa-Nongoma and Mkhuze towns in Zululand District Municipality, as well as Hlabisa under uMkhanyakude District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.

Giving an update on the progress made to move the project toward completion, the department said on 14 December 2023, Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu convened a meeting between the department, uMngeni-uThukela Water, Zululand, and uMkhanyakude District Municipalities.

The meeting was held to check on the status quo of the project progress.

At the meeting, presentations were made by both district municipalities, with visibly identifiable gaps and overall slow project progress.

This was followed by the Minister’s announcement that the scheme would be taken over by the department and transferred
into a Ministerial Scheme.

‘The decision to take over the project was as a result of the delayed nature of the project and its huge socio-economic impact, as it is cuts across two districts,’ departmental spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa explained.

During a meeting held on 3 January 2024, Mchunu also announced the appointment of uMngeni-uThukela Water as the implementing agent, responsible for certain aspects of the project.

In addition, the Zululand District Municipality has been appointed to implement Phases 5 and 6 of the project, which will benefit 279 297 people.

‘Phase 5 includes the construction of the main pipeline that will abstract water from Jozini Dam to Mandlakazi Water Treatment Works, and several other pipeline projects within the entire Mandlakazi project footprint. Phase 6 concerns the construction of a network water reticulation pipelines to provide water to the households of the entire Esiphambanweni community.’

While waiting for the Mandlakazi Scheme to be completed, Mavasa said the depar
tment has provided funding for emergency storage reservoirs and connection to supply water to the Hlabisa area.

Mavasa said, as of 20 February 2024, the project have been tested and commissioned, and reservoir 12 Mthwadlana and reservoir 22 Miyaneni, will now be able to receive water.

Reservoir 12 Mthwadlana feeds all reservoirs to the east of Hlabisa in the villages including Matshamhlophe, Majukujukwini, Ophaphasi, Nhlwathi, Nqamu, Ngodini, Mcwabakazi, Makhowe, and others.

Reservoir 22 Miyaneni is a command reservoir that feeds all reservoirs to the west of Hlabisa, including Mpembeni, Hlabisa Town, Mhlambanyathi, Mgangatho, Mansiya, among others.

‘The technical teams are currently doing pressure testing and checking the functionality of some of the pipelines, since the reservoirs are now at full capacity,’ Mavasa said.

Mavasa reiterated the Ministry, and the department continue to provide support and oversight to the project, to ensure that it meets its deadlines as outlined, and that communities iden
tified receive sustainable potable water upon its completion.

Source: South African Government News Agency