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The Democratic Alliance (DA) is today calling on the City of Tshwane to finish what we started in government, and to deliver the first phase of the Hammanskraal clean water project before the start of the December holidays.

The Klipdrift package plant built by Magalies Water will enable the City of Tshwane to deliver clean tap water to Hammanskraal residents who have for years been dependent on water tankers.

When the DA and our coalition partners left government in the City of Tshwane, the project was on track. There was a clear plan to manage the risks to each of the four phases of the project.

Phase one of the project was meant to be done by the end of October. Then it was going to be 15 November. And then it was delayed once again, with the City of Tshwane saying it needs more volume and pressure from Magalies Water to flush its pipes.

Magalies Water, on the other hand, says that it has done everything it needs to in order to deliver the 15 kiloliters of purified water from the Klipdrift package plant.

The DA is concerned that since we have left office, the new ANC-led coalition has taken its foot off the accelerator on this project. The new MMC for utility service, Frans Boshielo, seems clueless about this portfolio. He is what is today widely known as a low energy politician.

Aside from low energy, people are concerned about long rumored links between ANC politicians and water tanker contractors. If Klipdrift is complete, then Tshwane will save R60 million a year on water tankering.

This money can be spent on pipe replacement and other measure to improve service delivery and prevent water losses, but tenderpreneurs might not want this to happen.

The ANC does not have a good reputation on fighting corruption, to put it mildly. The parties that are now in government with the ANC do not have a good reputation for controlling the worst of the ANC’s appetites.

In government, the DA fought to get clean water in the taps of the people of Hammanskraal. In opposition, we will fight to ensure that government finishes what we started.

There are good people working on this project, and from what has already been achieved, the DA believes that the first phase of the Hammanskraal clean water project can be delivered before schools close on December 11.

If the project can be delivered before then, that would be great. But we want to remind the ANC-coalition, and their mayor, of the importance of this project. We have not seen passion and attention from their leaders on this project.

So today we challenge the City of Tshwane to commit to delivering the first phase of the Hammanskraal clean water project before December 11, and if this cannot be done, to communicate with Tshwane residents in clear terms.

The Klipdrift package plant is a wonderful innovation. The people who have worked on this project have done amazing work. Together we have already overcome political differences.

Issued by Ald Cilliers Brink - DA Tshwane Caucus Leader