Strategic mega water resources infrastructure projects & financing: briefing with Deputy Minister

Video The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation received a briefing from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) on strategic mega water resources infrastructure projects under construction, including projects funded through the Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI). The briefing covered implementation progress, budgets, reasons for delays, revised completion dates and funding gaps. The Department outlined progress on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase II, the raising of Clanwilliam and Tzaneen dams, the Mzimvubu Water Project, the Mokolo and Crocodile River (West) Water Augmentation Project Phase 2A, and the Olifants Management Model Programme. It also provided information on projects in planning and design and municipal water services projects. Implementation had been affected by procurement difficulties, poor contractor performance, community disruptions, environmental authorisation appeals, electricity connection delays and funding constraints. DWS was engaging National Treasury on additional funding for social infrastructure projects while using available reserves to maintain implementation. Members expressed concern about prolonged delays and their consequences for communities without reliable water supplies. They called for accountability for poor implementation and questioned differences between the planned commencement dates in the presentation and the construction dates explained during the meeting. Members also sought clarity on contractor blacklisting, professional accountability, local business participation, employment opportunities for women, social facilitation and South African participation in the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. Further questions concerned oversight of municipal infrastructure funding, the Sol Plaatje project, Mangaung’s funding application, environmental compliance, electricity connections and the capacity of the Department’s Construction Unit. Members requested updates on litigation involving the Lesotho Highlands Water Project and the review of the bilateral treaty. They also proposed exploring mining water reclamation in the Free State. The Department acknowledged continuing challenges but maintained that greater leadership stability and targeted interventions had enabled delayed projects to proceed. It outlined procurement reforms, stronger project management, community engagement structures and measures to address electricity supply constraints. It confirmed that a contractor involved in the bucket eradication programme had been restricted from government procurement until 2036. Project completion targets were considered achievable, subject to unforeseen disruptions. The Committee agreed that quarterly infrastructure progress updates would be incorporated into its programme to strengthen oversight and monitor implementation against reported milestones.