MEDIA STATEMENT
TO: All media
ATTENTION: Journalists and Editors
DATE: Thursday, 31 October 2024
GAUTENG PREMIER CALLS FOR EMERGENCY INTERVENTION IN MOGALE CITY
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has acknowledged the urgency of Mogale City’s sewage water crisis, describing it as a critical situation requiring immediate intervention. His comments followed an in-depth presentation by the municipality and input from various government stakeholders during a Percy Stewart Wastewater Treatment Plant (PSWWTP) site inspection on Tuesday afternoon. The visit was part of a Presidential directive, urging the Office of the Premier and relevant provincial departments including Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) to tackle Mogale City’s sewage water treatment challenges.
The Premier was joined by COGTA MEC Jacob Mamabolo whose department is responsible for municipal oversight support, Environment MEC Sheila Peters, newly elected Mogale City Mayor Lucky Sele, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Environment Jaco Mulder, National Department of Water Affairs senior officials, interest stakeholder groups and service providers. The delegates took a firsthand tour of the damages, non-functional equipment, proof of vandalism as well as outstanding and completed areas of refurbishment work at the PSWWTP.
In deliberation, a turnaround plan detailing envisaged timelines to considerably reduce current spillages, linked refurbishment work and related areas of support with costs will be submitted to the Office of the Premier within a week. The plan should include mitigation measures to protect the river system, biodiversity and broader environment to preserve the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site’s proclaimed UNESCO status.
Whilst the municipality’s R128 million budget requirements for the complete refurbishment of PSWWTP was considered reasonable based on the presentation, the importance of protecting infrastructure, stringent project management, budgetary accountability and ongoing maintenance of the plant was emphasised. The Premier will in due course brief the President on government’s support plans to resolve the city’s sewage water challenges, whilst a visit by the President may also take place.
Ends.