Mchunu has now been given the same “Speedo Challenge” as his predecessor, now Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, by organised business: “Put on your Speedo and swim in the Vaal River before we believe you care about the region and its people!

“You need to know the damage your government’s incompetence and neglect has caused and you can leave your blue lights on while you are here if you like!”

The “Speedo Challenge” was issued by the Golden Triangle Chamber of Commerce (GTCoC) after Mchunu failed to accept a public invitation to visit the Vaal and ascertain for himself the damage caused by years of Government neglect and failure to act decisively on the crisis.

GTCoC CEO Klippies Kritzinger issued the Challenge this week again after Mchunu failed to visit the Vaal – Sisulu was moved from Water Affairs recently after a Cabinet reshuffle on the eve of major budget and resource injection into the project.

Kritzinger says the GTCoC, civil society and communities need answers from Mchunu on why a project declared as a “priority crisis” by the Government itself has failed to get off the ground after many previous failures, including Army deployment, over the years.

“Vaal River pollution is increasingly emerging as an international pollution issue but we see no new Minister of Water and Sanitation prioritising the Vaal.

“That’s why he needs to come and swim in the pool his government has created at every level in Emfuleni and beyond,” said Kritzinger.

Kritzinger added that in-fighting between the Department of Water and Sanitation and other government agencies such as Rand Water had clearly returned after the regime-change of Ministers and both old and new officials were clearly positioning themselves to cream off millions from service provider contracts in the Vaal.

“There is still no indication that the Government has prioritised Vaal service providers in this project,” said Kritzinger.