Bhekuzulu pumps still a bone of contention

DESPITE mounting pressure, repairs to the broken pump at Bhekuzulu pump station have still not been carried out.

The Bhekuzulu sewerage pump station has been a bone of contention for quite some time, since a “short, but heavy downpour” in November 2015 left the station submerged under water, causing the pumps to seize, according to AfriForum’s Andrè van der Walt.

As a result of the broken pump at Bhekuzulu, overflow sewage has been running into Besterspruit and flowing into Klipfontein dam since November 2015.

It is now a year later and the putrid problem persists. According to van der Walt, there has been no progress, despite a directive being issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation to AbaQulusi Municipality with regard to the matter.

“…We await a rehabilitation plan indicating their intention to rehabilitate or fix the problem. This is expected within 14 days…” it was stated. The directive was issued on November 2.

With regard to the other pending pump repair plan, according to van der Walt, the pump at the water treatment plant was eventually repaired (Vryheid Herald, August 31, 2016), but payment has not been made, awaiting Acting Municipal Manager, Bongiwe Mnikathi’s signature.

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