NATIONAL NEWS - A R5 billion presidential bulk water supply project aimed at thwarting the chronic water shortage in Limpopo is stalling because the company delivering the project cannot afford to buy diesel.
The Giyani Water Emergency Intervention was commissioned by then president Jacob Zuma after the region was declared a disaster area in 2009. This came after two main sources of water in the area, the Middle Letaba and Nsami dams dried up, forcing residents and livestock to compete for dirty and contaminated water in rivers, wells and fountains.
At the time, the provincial department of health announced that more than five people had died due to cholera and other water-borne diseases. The only waste water treatment plant ended up spilling waste into the Giyani river.
In light of the situation, Zuma ordered then water and sanitation minister Nomvula Mokonyane to attend to the water situation in Giyani by appointing a reputable company on a turnkey basis to quickly address to the problem.
