This comes after the Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba warned the Mopani District Municipality Mayor Pule Shayi that the water reticulation project could not be delayed any longer. “I spoke with the executive mayor about our many promises regarding water reticulation the current status. In the village of Maphata, he said water taps have already been installed in your yards, is that true?” asked the premier during the launch of the Dikgerekgere programme in Maphata.

The premier acknowledged that the taps were installed but emphasised the need to see water flowing as soon as possible. “I don’t want to hear about percentages when it comes to progress. I don’t want to be told that the project is at 90% or whatever, because that can be misleading,” she said. The premier said government officials often misrepresent project progress by reporting percentages. “They know that if they tell you a project is at 50% or 90%, you might think things are going well.

Sometimes, they report a project is at 50% just to indicate that a contractor has been appointed,” she explained, adding that this is why she dislikes being given progress reports in percentages. “I asked the executive mayor what he meant by the project being at 90%, and he explained that it meant the taps had been installed in every household and that they were just waiting for the bulk line from the Nsami water treatment plant to be completed,” continued the premier.

Also read: Over R4 billion later still little progress with Giyani water

“I then asked when he expected the project to be finished, and he said soon. I told him I give you until September to complete phase 1. “When I come back, I expect to find everything complete. If you fail to meet that deadline, there will be trouble. “We promised these people water, so I need to see that happen by the end of September,” she said. The premier emphasised the importance of politicians fulfilling the promises they make to voters if they want to remain in their positions.

“When I was still an MEC, I promised that people would get ambulances, and many didn’t believe me. They said Phophi was lying and couldn’t buy 566 ambulances in one year, but I did,” she said. She advised the MEC for Public Works, Roads, and Infrastructure, Ernest Rachoene, who was with her at the time to be truthful to the communities he serves if he wants to remain an MEC for two terms, or longer. “If you go around promising things you can’t fulfil, you won’t get a promotion.

Even worse, a reshuffle might happen. I won’t hesitate to reshuffle if things don’t go well; an MEC is supposed to work hard. If you don’t, I’ll have no choice but to seek a replacement,” she said. She said there were 6.5 million people in the province who had entrusted her with the responsibility of running the province, and she intends not to disappoint them by ensuring better services and fighting corruption.

“You will see me getting involved, even down to checking the appointment of cleaners to ensure they have no connections with heads of departments or chief directors,” she said. “I’m not a premier because I’m a woman; I have the capacity to govern. If you doubt that, just be on the wrong side with me. I don’t care how much testosterone you have or how much of a man you are—I will fire you if necessary and still stand strong,” she said, sending a stern warning to anyone who might underestimate her because she is a woman.