IMPACT OF THE EXCO OUTREACH AND IMBIZO PROGRAMME IN DR JS MOROKA MUNICIPALITY

18 September 2022

The Mpumalanga Provincial Government marked the end of the 3-day EXCO Outreach Progamme with a commitment to resolve the water challenge within 18 months. The Outreach programme was held in Dr JS Moroka Municipality as part of public participation, with members of the Executive Council visiting projects for monitoring and evaluation and conducting stakeholder engagements in various villages.

A myriad of challenges such as the high rate of unemployment, inadequate capacity of health facilities, dilapidated school and road infrastructure, were raised sharply by the community. However, the acute shortage of water ranked high, during an Imbizo held at Senotlelo village on Friday.

Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane told the community that the construction of the Mkhombo dam is the solution for the water challenge. “Only 11ML of water per day, are abstracted from the Loskop dam, and distributed to both the Dr JS Moroka and Thembisile Hani Municipalities. The construction of the Mkhombo dam is at 97 percent towards completion. It will take about 18 months to complete. Through the dam, we will provide water adequately,” the Premier stated.

Vandalism of electrical cables at the Siyabuswa Water Treatment Plant, old infrastructure and the drought were identified as contributory factors for the water challenges, during the project visits. The municipality provides water to the affected villages through water tankers, as an interim measure. Mtshweni-Tsipane urged the community to report cases of vandalism to the police. “The water system is your responsibility. Failure to take action against those who vandalize it, proliferates the crime,” she explained.

Despite the water challenge and the commitment to resolve it, the EXCO outreach programme inspired hope to the community. These include the construction of 39 housing units and hand over on the 27th of November 2022 at Seabe village, the support for youth empowerment through the Mpumalanga Youth Development Fund (MYDF), development of a strategy to revitalize the AGRIHUB at Madubaduba, the renovation plan of the Tirisang victim centre and a roadshow of SMMEs for local business support.

Ends...


Issued by the Mpumalanga Provincial Government

(A) Provincial Government’s Spokesperson: George Mthethwa
Tel: (013) 766 2242
Mobile: 083 302 2774
E-mail: gpmthethwa@mpg.gov.za