DA demands answers over stalled R46m Charl Cilliers wastewater project
Despite a massive expenditure of R46m, the critical infrastructure asset is still incomplete.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Govan Mbeki Municipality is demanding immediate accountability over an alleged stalled wastewater treatment plant project in Charl Cilliers.
Despite a massive expenditure of R46m, the critical infrastructure asset remains incomplete and completely non-operational.
According to James Masango, the DA mayoral candidate, the official documents were recently presented to the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC). Construction on the 1.8-megalitre per day (ML/day) wastewater treatment facility began in 2018.
Planned as a two-phase project, it has now dragged on for nearly eight years with little to show for the multi-million rand budget.
“Documents presented to MPAC make it evident that the municipality has spent in excess of R35 million on Phase 1 of the project, which commenced in November 2018,” Masango stated.
“Additionally, the municipality agreed to spend just over R12 million on Phase 2, which was originally scheduled to run between April 2023 and September 2023. However, that timeline has repeatedly collapsed,” said Masango.
Masango said the completion date for Phase 2 was initially pushed back to May 2024, and subsequent delays have deferred the target to April 2026.
Masango said several systemic failures are causing the gridlock, including substantial delays in formally appointing subcontractors.
Critically slow infrastructure progress, specifically concerning the plant’s clarifiers. Severe resource constraints experienced by the primary contractors.
Following a recent physical oversight inspection of the facility, Masango expressed shock at the state of the infrastructure, branding it a “white elephant” that will remain inoperable for the foreseeable future.
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“The nearby community still relies solely on septic tanks and there is absolutely no sewerage infrastructure connecting the surrounding houses to the treatment plant,” said Masango
The DA is calling on the Govan Mbeki Municipality to provide transparent answers on the project’s financial management, the reasons behind the rolling deadline extensions, and a concrete plan to build the grid infrastructure needed to connect local homes.
Donald Green, the municipality’s media liaison and content developer, said the project was implemented in two phases and entails upgrading and completing critical civil, mechanical and electrical infrastructure at the treatment works.
Green said the project is intended to improve wastewater treatment capacity, enhance environmental compliance and contribute towards reliable and sustainable sanitation services in Charl Cilliers.
“The total expenditure recorded for both phases amounts to almost R46,6m. The project was assessed at 95% construction progress and is at an advanced stage of completion, with the majority of the required mechanical and electrical equipment installed and tested.
“Completed works include the installation of mechanical screens, aerators, mixers and pumps, electrical distribution boards, telemetry systems, as well as the refurbishment and rewiring of the motor control centre (MCC) panel,” said Green.
Green said stormwater channels and gabions have also been completed, the standby generator has been tested, and most of the equipment has been tested and commissioned.
However, final system commissioning, practical completion and operational handover remain outstanding.
“The municipality acknowledges that the project has experienced delays during its implementation due to a combination of operational, technical, contractual and implementation challenges.
“These include delays in appointing specialised subcontractors, contractor resource constraints, outstanding snag-list items and technical challenges relating to the alignment of the clarifiers.
“The remaining works identified during the oversight process include the final commissioning of recycle pumps, alignment and adjustment of the clarifier bridges, refurbishment of the detention pond lining and completion of outstanding snag-list items,” said Green.
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Green said the submission of testing certificates and manuals, as-built and completion documentation, final inspections and practical completion certification also remain outstanding.
Green said the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) conducted an oversight site visit on May 12 to assess implementation status, verify completed mechanical and electrical installations, evaluate project performance and expenditure, identify outstanding work and associated risks, and assess readiness for final commissioning and handover.
“The oversight process confirmed that the project was at an advanced stage of completion, while identifying outstanding technical and administrative requirements that must be addressed before final project closure and operational handover.
“The municipality remains committed to ensuring that all outstanding works are completed in accordance with the required technical and contractual standards before the facility is formally commissioned and handed over for operation.
“The municipality continues to monitor the outstanding work and will communicate further developments regarding the commissioning and operational status of the facility,” concluded Green.
