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GOOD has noted the increased politicisation around the supply of safe water to the residents of Hammanskraal.  The new project, run by Magalies Water at Klipdrift Water works, came online in January 2025 and supplies safe drinking water to several areas of Hammanskraal. It is the first of several phases to be rolled out to expand the network of safe water to Hammanskraal.

This region of Tshwane has been without safe drinking water for more than a decade. The DA has been in charge of Tshwane since 2016 and is – very ironically – now criticizing the multi-party administration regarding the provision of safe water to Hammanskraal’s black residents. 

A joint statement yesterday from the National Department of Water and Sanitation, Magalies Water and the City of Tshwane confirmed:

Magalies Water’s water treatment plant experienced a power failure due to a severe storm on Tuesday 4 February 2025. 

The damaged mini-substation required that a new mini-substation be procured, installed and commissioned and these critical works were completed within 4 days, being concluded on Saturday 8 February 2025. 

After the electricity supply was restored, the plant was restarted immediately.

As a result of the electricity interruption, the water reservoirs were empty and dry, affecting Mandela Village, Marokolong, Ramotse, Kekana Gardens (Steve Bikoville), Kudube Unit 9, Babelegi Industrial and Bridgeview informal settlement.

Testing and flushing of the system to get air out of the supply pipelines was initiated and water quality monitored continuously. 

On 11 February it was found that there was some turbidity in the water, but all other parameters (apart from turbidity) complied with the SANS 241:2015 drinking water quality standard.

Subsequent tests on the 13 February confirmed the water quality was compliant on all water quality parameters and continues to be safe for human consumption.

The oversight function of opposition parties is vital, but in this case, the outcries from the DA’s Mr Cilliers Brink should perhaps be directed to his DA predecessors – former Tshwane Mayors Solly Msimanga, (2016-2019), Stevens Mokgapala (2019-2020) or Randall Williams (2020-2023) - regarding their successive failures to address these service delivery challenges over the preceding decade.

Issued by Sarah Mabotsa, GOOD: City of Tshwane Councillor