Water pipe plan needs more cash

16 May, 2016 07:05

Gauteng officials require an extra R8.3-million to complete a water supply project at Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, near Heidelberg Picture: MOELETSI MABE
Image by: Moeletsi Mabe

The completion date of a multi-million-rand water project at the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve - the Gauteng government's largest nature reserve - is unknown, with construction under way and officials wanting another R8.3-million.

The project, which was conceived in 2004, has been mired in controversy, with damning findings made by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela on the mismanagement of public funds in the project.

The infrastructure development department wants an extra R8.3-million so that it can complete the water project.

The department told its portfolio committee a fortnight ago it needed more money and the request left the committee fuming.

Chairman Lindiwe Lasindwa expressed her frustration.

"This is one of the projects that was really badly planned and things really went wrong.

"As the committee we do not understand why at this point this project has not been completed. The department told the committee that just 5% of the project is remaining," she said.

The project was initially valued at R8.6-million but numerous contracts have been terminated and new ones signed, making it difficult for the department to estimate how much has been spent.

Known as the Suikerbosrand Northern Waterline project, the work includes an underground reservoir which will be connected by over 14km of pipes to a Rand Water waterline.

A generator and pump station were to have been built to ensure the reserve has a steady supply of water. Workers are, however, still busy with this part of the project.

Ten water storage tanks have been installed to ensure a ready water supply while the pipes are being fixed, with generators to assist when there are power failures.

Last year the reserve was closed for five months because of delays in the project.

The closure centred on the inability of the reserve's officials to be able to protect visitors should a fire break out.

The reserve's manager, Mpere Mokoka, said: "We have made a lot of progress in improving the condition of the reserve, in particular the handling of possible fires, which was why the reserve was closed."

Suikerbosrand, near Heidelberg, is the biggest nature reserve owned by the Gauteng department of agriculture, a sister to the department of economic development.

While reserves are managed by the agriculture department, any construction that takes place has do be done by the department of infrastructure development, the implementing arm of provincial government.

The reserve has 18000km2 of land for visitors to enjoy. It boastscycling paths, picnic areas, camping facilities, a museum, wildlife, swimming pools and huts.