By Johnathan Paoli
In a crucial meeting held on the eve of the Lesotho Highland Water Scheme tunnel shutdown, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has expressed grave concerns about the preparedness of Free State municipalities, particularly Dihlabeng Municipality.
Free State DA leader Roy Jankielsohn said on Tuesday that despite his party remaining cautiously optimistic that contractors would complete the Ash River section of the R275 million project within the designated six-month period, concerns lingered regarding Dihlabeng’s lack of readiness.
The municipality has yet to finalise essential infrastructure, such as boreholes and a pump station, which are vital for ensuring a reliable water supply and quality for residents of Clarens and Kgubetswana during the shutdown.
“Most towns in the Free State experience water supply and quality problems with large-scale sewage pollution due to municipal incapacity caused by poor financial management and lack of skills
“The shutdown must not be used as an excuse for poor water and sanitation services in affected municipalities,” Jankielsohn said in a statement.
The upcoming six-month shutdown will involve two key projects.
One is focused on repairing erosion and cleaning the tunnel from the Muela Power Station in Lesotho to the Caledon River, and the other will address the stretch from the Caledon River to the Ash River outlet between Bethlehem and Clarens, eventually reaching the Sol Plaatje Dam in Bethlehem.
This work includes critical tasks such as sandblasting and recoating steel structures, repairing grout holes in the tunnel and cleaning the outfall, alongside efforts to prevent further erosion along the 28km Ash River.
The meeting, organised by the Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA), outlined the maintenance plans, which were vital for water supply to the region.
Jankielsohn said although it was agreed that monthly feedback sessions would be held, Dihlabeng representatives were reluctant to commit, raising alarm bells about their readiness to manage the impending crisis.
He said as the weak link in this operation, Dihlabeng Municipality’s failure to utilise funds allocated by the national government to mitigate the impact of the shutdown, was troubling.
Jankielsohn said that their reassurances that they were “almost there” lacked the urgency and required in the face of this significant disruption.
The national Water and Sanitation Department has announced plans to release water from the Sol Plaatje and Sterkfontein dams to supplement supply for affected towns downstream.
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