Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane has called for contractors and others responsible for the province’s water crisis to be held accountable.
Government could not spend money on projects that were not completed, he said in reply to a Dispatch question asked at a September media briefing at the East London International Convention Centre.
This year, President Cyril Ramaphosa has issued proclamations instructing the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe 17 government water projects in the province for corruption — seven in the Alfred Nzo district municipality, five in the OR Tambo district municipality, four in Makhanda municipality, and one in the Chris Hani district municipality.
The values of these projects have not been disclosed.
Mabuyane said he was in agreement with the president.
“An investigation by Chapter 9 or 10 institutions is always occasioned by whistle-blowers, so people can easily say there’s this or that, but I know that for SIU to investigate, the premier must concur with the president to make a proclamation and that has always been done.
“There has never been a case where SIU wants to follow up on issues and there would not be that kind of support. We have been supporting [SIU].”
“Now we are making everybody to fully account on the results of SIU because when the report comes, whoever is affected by the report has two things to do — to take the report for review and challenge it and if you don’t challenge it there must be consequences especially when the report has pointed who has done what.
“We are following up with municipalities and every government department.”
Ramaphosa authorised the corruption busting unit to investigate allegations of serious maladministration at these municipalities. He red-flagged five water supply construction procurement contracts at OR Tambo district municipality for suspected financial conniving and tasked the team to recover public monies lost by the municipality.
In OR Tambo the SIU will investigate:
- Construction of the Signal Hill reservoir, the appointment of Amatola Water Board in 2019 and an alleged irregular payment made to the board in 2020;
- Construction of the Mqanduli bulk water scheme and the appointment of Ginasonke Engineers, and an alleged irregular payment made to Ginasonke in 2019 [work not completed];
- Construction of the Mqanduli bulk water scheme, appointment of Khwalo’s Construction and an alleged irregular payment made to Khwalo in 2019 [work not completed];
- The supply and installation of a pump at Mhlontlo cluster 1, the appointment of Valotone 94 CC and Phoenix Tanks (Pty) Ltd in 2019, and an alleged irregular payment made to these service providers in 2019; and
- The electrification of Mthatha dam and Highbury, and the construction of the Thornhill clear water pump station, and the alleged irregularities regarding payment by the Amatola Water Board for these projects in 2018 and 2019.
The Dispatch team visited two projects, one in OR Tambo district municipality and one in the Alfred Nzo district municipality.
At the Mqanduli bulk water scheme in OR Tambo district municipality, we were told no work had happened there for a month. The only activity seen on the site were security guards.
Resident Nobonginkosi Ntonzima, 59, said her community lived off stream water or a communal tank.
“Government has for years promised us water. That [communal] tank is far [away]. It’s been two years since the tank was brought here. We walk about 30-minutes to get there. I go there with four 20l buckets a day, fill them up and make trips to bring them home. My grandchildren also fetch this water with me.
“When water hasn’t been delivered we go to the river. We want every household to have taps because we are old and frail now to be fetching water far.”
In the Alfred Nzo district, where the SIU is tasked to investigate the Greater Mbizana water supply project, the Dispatch team discovered that the taps were dry and some were broken.
Nolulamo Mandlana of Sisindini village in Qobo, said she was forced to collect “dirty water” from the river.
“We had water two years ago, but now we are back here. Even in that two years we would have water for a week and go another week without.”
Nosinothi Mbhungwa, 84, of Ntlavukazi village in Qobo, said they were ecstatic when water started flowing two years ago, but then it stopped.
“We have been left disappointed. We drink the water even though it is dirty because we have no choice.”
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