Report of the Portfolio Committee on Water Affairs and Forestry, Dated 15 November 2006

Report of the Portfolio Committee on Water Affairs and Forestry, dated 15 November 2006: PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WATER AFFAIRS AND FORESTRY

OVERSIGHT VISIT TO THE LIMPOPO AND NORTH WEST PROVINCES

30 JULY– 4 AUGUST 2006

1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

Attention to water, sanitation and forestry policies in South Africa has turned to implementation. The new policies and associated legislation are not only about ensuring adequate quality and quantity of water for human need; they are also about protecting the resources available for current and future use. Due to the extent and multiplicity of the management functions associated with water quality management, it is no longer considered to be the sole obligation of a single authority, but is now increasingly the responsibility of all levels of the community, including industry, local government as well as individual water users.

The Committee, as mandated by the Constitution and Rules of Parliament, undertook oversight visits to the Limpopo and North West Provinces. This was to gauge the manner in which the responsibility of water, sanitation and forestry issues are being addressed by different levels of the community, including industry, local government, as well as individual water users.

1.1. Objectives

To this end, the objectives of the oversight visit were to:

a)Identify municipalities falling within Project Consolidate, and monitor and evaluate the challenges and solutions that are currently being formulated to ensure the addressing of water, sanitation and forestry policies.

b)Examine the manner in which Catchment Management Agencies (CMAs), tasked with the management of water resources at the scale of Water Management Areas are working toward the sustainability of both the resource base, as well as water delivery mechanisms.

c)Investigate the way in which CMAs are informed by local-level representation through Catchment For and/or Committees, water User Associations, Water Services Authorities and Water Service Providers.

d)Examine the way in which local governance structures, in the form of district and local municipalities participate in the water management and supply side as Water Service Authorities and Water Service Providers.

e)Focus on the human and financial resources set aside for water quality protection, enforcement, monitoring and oversight.

f)Obtain detailed information and first-hand insights into the Working for Water Programmes.

g)Focusing on the Kruger National Park’s to address issues of water conservation projects, biodiversity and the protection of ecosystems, in light of other overriding priorities.

h)Evaluating management effectiveness, in areas of veld and fire control.

i)Job creation in the water and forestry sectors.

j)The targets to be met on water, sanitation and bucket eradication.

k)The impact of the mining sector on the state of rivers in these two provinces.

Whilst all the above objectives could not be undertaken simultaneously, the issues were divided into different foci for different areas within respective provinces.

The Committee undertook a study tour to the two provinces during the period of 30 July – 4 August 2006. The Committee members split into two multiparty delegations that visited the two provinces.

1.1

1.21.2 Limpopo Province delegation

Ms C C September, (Leader of the Delegation) (ANC), Ms T E Lishivha (ANC), Mr J D Arendse (ANC), Mr K Moonsamy (ANC), Ms M L Kompe-Ngwenya (ANC), Mr M W Sibuyana (IFP).

1.31.3 Officials from the Limpopo Province

Mr. A Matukane – Chief Director Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Mr. S L Rampedi – Head of Department: Dpt. of Local Government and Housing, Mr. Papo Maloka – CEO (SALGA), Mr. Willie Modisha – Chairperson Lepelle Northern Water, Mr. Collins Chabane – MEC: Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, CLLR. Martha Maphaga – Mayor Greater Marble, CLLR. Dickson Masemola – Executive Mayor Greater Sekhukhune, Mr. Ockie Van Den Berg – DWAF, Mr. T Nkadimeng – Municipal Manger: Sekhukhune, CLLR. Sam Mamekoa – Mayor: Greater Tubatse Municipality, CLLR. Thabita Mohlala – Speaker of Mopani District, CLLR. Gloria Valoyi – Mayor of Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality, Dr Thomas Gyedu-Ababio – Manager: Kruger National Park, Mr. Tim Maake – Manager: Mopani Municipality

Dr T Simelane – Director: Forestry Policy and Strategy, CLLR. Humphery Makgobi – Executive Mayor: Mopani District Municipality, CLLR. Ms Suzan Sibiya, CLLR. Norman Makumbane – Mayor Thulamela Municipality, Mr. Mulovhedzi – Municipal Manager: Vhembe District, CLLR. Irene Mutsila – Executive Mayor Vhembe District Municipality, CLLR. Glory Mashaba – Mayor: Nzhelele, Mr. S Mbedzi – DWAF, Mr. M S Selamolele – Speaker: Blouberg Local Municipality, CLLR. Refilwe Kubjana – Mayor, Ms Tracey Malatyi – Municipality Manager: Capricorn District municipality, CLLR. Motalane Monakedi – Executive Mayor Capricorn District Municipality.

1.4North West Province delegation

Mr. TDH Ramphele (Leader of delegation) (ANC), Ms P Bhengu (ANC), Ms J Semple (DA), Mr. PHK Ditshetelo (UCDP).

1.5Officials from the North West Province

Mr. Chadwick Lobakeng: Regional Director – DWAF, Mr. Bongani Msimang: Support Staff – DWAF, Rev. SH Letlape: Director: Department of Local Government and Housing, Ms S Mayoli: Regional Programme Leader: Working for Water - DWAF

2. LIMPOPO PROVINCE

2.1. Overview of the Progress on Delivery of Water in the Limpopo Province – Written Presentations

2.1.1Provincial Overview: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry

Limpopo Province consists of 5 District and 25 Local Municipalities. The Province has 12 Water Service Authorities. Sekhukhune, as one of the District Municipalities, has been declared a rural nodal point.

1. The progress in water services reflects the following:

a)From an initial backlog of 4.1 million in 1995, the water backlog has been reduced to 2.7 million. 18 villages have been targeted in which job creation will take place.

b)Free Basic Water (FBW): 3.7 million out of 5.8 million people have been provided with FBW. The poor represent 2.1 out of the 3.7 million.

c)In terms of planning, Water Services Development Plans (WSDPs) have been developed for all water services authorities and updated bi-annually.

d)Water has been prioritised, for example, R443 million out of R821 million within the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) is for Water and Sanitation.

e)DWAF officials provide support through Project Consolidate to Municipalities in planning, implementation and institutional development.

f)Interim operation of schemes by DWAF: the operations subsidy is R526 million for the 2006/07.

g)Transfers: all Water Service Authorities (WSAs) have signed transfer agreements with the exception of one.

h)Of the 5640 staff, DWAF has seconded 700 staff to Sekhukhune, 220 to Mogalakwena, and transferred 44 to Lephalale. Municipalities are taking over customer care functions.

1. The progress in water resources development reflects the following:

a)The water resources development planning supports the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS). The linking of the following strategies, that of the National Water Resource Strategy (NWRS) and Strategic Framework for Water Services has been developed, and linking this to the PGDS is underway.

b)The second draft of the Limpopo Water Strategy has been developed. The next step would be to hold a provincial workshop to finalise the document would be scheduled. This will be presented to the MEC for Local Government.

c)The large projects in Limpopo under the NWRS comprise the Nandoni Dam (Olifants River) which will be raised by 5 metres, and de Hoop Dam (Steelspoort River). Construction on de Hoop Dam is expected to begin in 2006. The Nwamitwa Dam (Great Letaba River) was approved by the Limpopo Exco in September 2005. A project co-ordinating committee was established to: investigate financing options; undertake international negotiations and environmental impact assessments. The Inyaka Dam (Marite River) was completed in 2001. The Modjadi Dam Weirs: Nondweni (Letaba River), Xikundu (Luvuvhu). The Tzaneen Dam (Great Letaba River) rising has been planned.

1. The progress made in terms of water resources institutions comprise the following:

a)There are 3 main water management areas, Limpopo, Luvuvhu/Letaba, and Olifants, managed by Mpumalanga Province.

b)The catchment management is currently done by DWAF (Proto-CMAs).

c)6 Water User Associations have been established in the Limpopo Province (Nzhelele, Thabina, Lebalelo, Great Letaba, Mutala and Mutshimbwe).

d)Representative monitoring points are established at strategic points, for example, rivers/streams, dams, major aquifers, discharge points from mines and industries.

The challenges impaling the water resources institutions comprise the following:

a)There are difficulties in consolidating the roles and responsibilities of the following stakeholders in water services: regulator (DWAF), authorities (WSA) and supporters (DLGH and DWAF). The providers (Water boards, local municipalities), especially regional water services providers.

b)Ensuring adherence to Water Services regulations and standards is a problem, especially to assure good services to customers (quality, quantity, affordability and sustainability).

c)Ensuring adherence to master plans for water resources and water services is also a problem.

d)Funding for water services to take water from water resources to households is not available.

e)Disaster management: drought, floods and waterborne diseases are undertaken through the disaster management committee and joint operational committee.

f)The methods to address the water and sanitation backlogs are long term measures in terms of water resource development, restrictions, drilling boreholes to urgent problem areas, tinkering, water demand management and cost recovery.

g)Cost effective utilisation of water resources, for example the use of groundwater, recycling, floods, close operation of dam levels, emergency preparedness plan.

h)Promotion of water conservation/demand management.

i)Monitoring of water quality and quantity in terms of awareness campaign and cost recovery.

j)Financing of water services infrastructure and operations and maintenance budgets.

k)Illegal connections and stolen equipments.

l)Long-lead time to establish catchment management agencies (CMAs) and user associations, for example public participation process.

m)Solving the overall water deficit for Limpopo Province, for example, agriculture and mining.

iv.The progress made in terms of forestry comprises the following:

a)Commercial Forests manages 5000 hectares of gum and pine. Indigenous forest management conserves 15 000 hectares of natural forests. The forestry development division focuses on the forestry resources programmes. The forestry oversight division regulates the sector according to the National Forest Act (NFA) and National Veld and Forest Fire Act (NVFFA). The forestry institutional support focuses on provincial growth and development strategies, integrated development planning and local economic development.

b)In terms of the forestry enterprise development (community empowerment, it comprises forestry enterprise programmes (small timber growers, small mining timber suppliers, etc). Livelihood support programmes are bee keeping projects, bird watching, woodcarving, etc. The forestry awareness programmes comprise Arbour Week, Arbour City Award, Edu-Plant and Greening Strategy.

2.2 Working for Water Programme

The Working for Water Programme is an Expanded Public Works Programme intervention led by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. The integrated approach followed for the Working for Water is:

1. Technical – clearing of invasive alien plants.
2. Social – HIV and AIDS training and life skills development.
3. Economic = contractor development – building of strategic partnerships.

The working for water’s implementation of cooperative governance identified the projects within the district municipalities and operations are done in line with the integrated development plan for social upliftment and poverty alleviation.

A memorandum of agreement has been signed between the Department of Labour and the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. The Department of Labour funds skills development/training of workers and contractors. Aquatic weeds and the rivers worked thus far are Letaba River in the Tzaneen area and the Wilge River in the Groblersdal area. The species targeted are the water hyacinth, and kariba weed. The method of work consists of aerial and hand spraying of herbicide and biological control agents.

1.3.1.1Expenditure – April – June 2006

1.3.1.2Employment Created To-Date

Number of People
Women / Youth / Disabled / Total Number of People
223 / 39 / 0 / 388
5 / 1 / 0 / 13
15 / 7 / 0 / 25
14 / 3 / 0 / 29
0 / 0 / 0 / 0
0 / 0 / 0 / 0
0 / 0 / 0 / 0
257 / 50 / 0 / 455

2.3 Project Consolidate and Disaster Management: Department of Local Government and Housing

Since 2004, Municipalities have encountered a number of challenges. This prompted the Government to adopt a targeted programme of intervention, Project Consolidate. The Department of Provincial and Local Government undertook a study to profile municipalities in terms of the following indicators:

1. Municipalities affected by 4 main basic service delivery measures: electricity, water, sanitation and refuse removal.
2. Municipal services debt and billing systems.
3. Municipalities performing less than 30% of their assigned functions.
4. Municipalities under section 139 interventions.
5. Municipalities in financial distress.

In Limpopo, the following 15 municipalities were identified as Project Consolidate based on the above criteria.

Sekhukhune DM / Greater Tubatse
Greater marble hall
Fetakgomo
Makhuduthamaga
Groblersdal
Capricorn / Blouberg
Lepelle-Nkumpi
Agagang
Mopani / Greater Letaba
Greater Giyani
Maruleng
Waterberg / Thabazimbi
Vhembe / Makhada
Mutale
Thulamela.

In terms of the progress made as a province, with regard to Project Consolidate, the following was noted:

a)All the Project Consolidate municipalities passed council resolutions in support of the programme.

b)All municipalities developed municipality action plans.

c)Provincial programme of action developed.

d)Action plans for respective elements developed.

e)Provincial steering committee constituted and functional.

f)8 element leaders appointed.

g)Constituted working teams at all the Project Consolidate municipalities during January 2006.07.30 undertook audits on service delivery for the province. 1996 and 2001 census information and service delivery between 2000 – 2005.

h)District profiles compiled (basic services, led, financial viability, institutional transformation and capacity building, governance and public participation.

2.4 Overview of Water and Sanitation Services in the Greater Sekhukhune District Municipality

The District consists of five local municipalities. They are Greater Groblersdal, Greater Marble Hall, Greater Tubatse, Fetakgomo and Makhuduthamaga. The total population of the District is approximately 1 024 748 people. 55% of the population consist of women, 56 of the population is under the age of 20, approximately 23% of the population does not have formal education and 23% of the population has primary education, 22 has secondary education and only 1% has tertiary education.

The District settlement patterns are largely rural with approximately 500 dispersed villages. The main contributions to the economy are community services (52%), mining (20%) and trade (17%). Tourism, agriculture and manufacturing have significant potential to be further enhanced. Only 30, 9% of the population is employed. Employment stands at 69, 1%. The District still faces huge infrastructural backlogs on basic services – water – 69%, sanitation – 80% and electricity – 60%.

2.4.1Water and Sanitation Provision

33 070 households do not have access to any sanitation service whilst 127 331 rely on pit latrines that are not ventilated. Current sanitation backlog is estimated at 80%, that is, households below RDP standards. 69% of our population still does not have access to water at RDP standards.

The Greater Sekhukhune District Municipality supplies the 6000 free litres of water, and indigent accounts are paid in areas where there are meters and billing takes place. Water is supplied through water tankers to some villages without infrastructure. 162 000 households benefit annually from Free Basic Water in the GSDM. An amount of R15, 0 million allocated for Free Basic Water in the last financial year, has been fully utilised. An amount of R17, 0 million is allocated for Free Basic Water provision during the 06/07 financial year

Some of the challenges noted were the following:

a)The implementation of the Section 78 process and resolutions taken by Council was proving to be a problem as buy-in by all into the process was problematic.

b)Re-organizing former DWAF staff into municipal structures has its own challenges.

c)The implementation and supervision of recruiting and retaining technical skills for project planning was a problem.

d)An additional R1, 9 billion is allegedly required to eradicate the backlog. This figure excludes the De Hoop Dam development.

e)Current grant funding appears inadequate to ensure National targets are met.

f)The construction of the De hoop Dam and raising of the Flag Boshielo Dam wall is crucial to water supply in the District.

g) Water demand management measures to be implemented.

h)Capacity of emerging service providers.

i)The complex geographic terrain of the district poses a problem.

j)The high water pumping costs at Nebo Plato is a critical issue.

k)Small and scattered villages remains challenged in receiving water supply.

l)The WSDP documentation process is completed, but many gaps still remain. It is a process to accumulate and build information base.

m)The vandalism of infrastructure still creates problems.

n)The District still has major backlogs with regard to water and sanitation.

The recommendations, suggested by the presentation incorporated the following:

a)Given the low-income levels in the District, appropriate and affordable delivery models in line with RDP standards should be developed.

b)Low revenue base challenges the institutions to emerge with new financial models to build the local economy thereby ensuring their sustainability.

c)Sustainable infrastructure is needed to support economic development.

d)Sector departments need to improve the allocation of resources to the district as a Presidential Node.

e)Integrated planning is required between the three spheres of government and also public entities in infrastructure provision.

f)Institutional support around issues of planning, project management, financial management, are needed.

In response to the manner in which the District Municipality is addressing the challenges, the following was noted:

• The development of a cost recovery system. An implementation strategy for the cost recovery system has been developed.
• Tariff structures have been developed and will be implemented in October 2006.
• By-laws have been developed and will be implemented in October 2006. An implementation strategy for the by-laws has been developed.
• Operation and maintenance of transferred DWAF Schemes are in progress.
• The implementation of decisions taken during the Section 78 process will be concluded by December 2006.
• A three-year implementation process has been devised to implement a refurbishment programme of all transferred DWAF infrastructure.

2.5 Overview of Water and Sanitation Services in the Vhembe District Municipality