Corruption, the waste of state funds and a lack of skills on the part of certain service providers were behind the delays in fulfilling the 2005 Giyani Bulk Water Supply programme which was set to provide clean water to the villages in Giyani from the Nandoni Dam in Limpopo.

This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who, accompanied by other dignitaries, did a site inspection on Sunday.

More than R1b from the R4b set aside for the project, was misappropriated, he says, adding that the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) is busy with an investigation into the squandered funds.

“Those found guilty will be held accountable and we promise the communities around the Nandoni Dam and the Greater Giyani Municipality that, come end of March 2023, you will have clean water from your taps,” the president promises.

Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu, who was part of the delegation, says in the next three weeks, the Nandoni Dam pump station will be tested to find out whether water pipe lines leading to Nsami Dam in Giyani were connected correctly so that they can supply water to the 24 villages affected by water shortages.

“We can provide to you exactly the date the affected communities will receive water,” he says and adds that they have left room for unforeseen circumstances and possible delays.

Premier Chupu Mathabatha and Vhembe District Mayor Dowelani Nenguda were also part of the site inspections to assess progress made to alleviate challenges of water scarcity and to ensure consistent and reliable water supply in the area.

The Giyani Bulk Water Project was initiated in 2014 to address severe water challenges in the Greater Giyani Local Municipality through the transfer of water from Nandoni Dam to be augmented to Nsami and Middle Letaba water systems.

Ramaphosa first engaged with traditional leaders and communities staying around Nandoni Dam on the issue of having to stay near the full-to-capacity dam, but are without clean water.

Mathabatha says he was pleased with the outcome engagement between Ramaphosa and the communities around Nandoni Dam and Giyani.

He adds that he is excited that the issues of challenges of water are receiving attention from the highest office of the country and this in itself speaks of great progress made on the project.