ERMELO – Executive mayor Alderwoman Mapulane Precious Nkosi visited the Everest Park water project on October 28 to assess progress, according to a post shared on Msukaligwa Local Municipality’s official Facebook page, days before South Africans head to the polls for the November 4 local government elections.

However, the municipality’s update did not specify how much work had been completed or when the infrastructure would become operational.

The visit has renewed attention on the project, which was originally scheduled for completion in April 2024 and is intended to improve water supply to Everest Park and surrounding communities.

The project involves installing a one-megalitre elevated steel water tank and constructing a booster pump station. Msukaligwa Local Municipality’s 2023/2024 Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plan listed an initial budget of R7.5 million and a completion date of April 29, 2024.

A contractor tender closed on June 22, 2026. On August 4, the municipality announced on its official Facebook page that the project had been formally handed over to the appointed contractor, marking the start of construction.

The project has also featured in more recent municipal budget reporting.

Reporting on Msukaligwa Local Municipality’s 2026/27 budget indicated that R19 million was planned for the Everest Park water infrastructure project, compared with the initial allocation of R7.5 million listed in the municipality’s 2023/2024 Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plan.

The municipality has been asked to clarify the project’s final approved cost, the value of the construction contract, the reasons for any budget increase and how much has been spent to date.

Water-supply concerns

Residents have raised concerns about water supply in Everest Park.

The municipality’s planning documents previously identified inconsistent water supply, low water pressure at stand 1405 and a leaking water pipe affecting nearby houses.

Some social media commenters questioned the timing of the mayor’s visit ahead of the November 4 local government elections.

The municipality has been asked to clarify the project’s current construction status, final approved cost, expenditure to date, expected completion and commissioning dates, as well as the number of households affected by water-supply problems and what interim measures are in place while construction continues.

Questions were sent to municipal spokesperson Mandla Zwane, but no response had been received at the time of publication.

Read more about residents’ comments, the water-supply concerns recorded in municipal documents and the questions submitted to the municipality in the Highvelder’s printed edition.