Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu has called for the prioritisation of the construction of a bulk water pipeline from Ludeke Dam to Mzamba village in Mbizana

✔ Fact Checked by TDPel News Desk

By Samantha Allen

Published: June 24, 2022 | 1:20 PM

Senzo Mchunu, Minister of Water and Sanitation, has urged for the construction of a 49-kilometer bulk water pipeline from Ludeke Dam to Mzamba village in Mbizana to be prioritized.

In a statement, he stated that the Department of Water and Sanitation was working to address chronic water supply and sanitation difficulties in the Alfred Nzo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape.

Mchunu met with District Executive Mayor Vukile Mhlelembana in a private working session on Thursday.

The conference also included representatives from the Department of Water and Sanitation, the District, and the Local Municipalities.

Mchunu stated that the pipeline development should coincide with the construction of water reticulation infrastructure in Mbizana’s neighboring districts.

According to the department, the Minister chose Umgeni Water, which has a R109 million budget, to oversee the pipeline project’s implementation.

“Phase 1 of the project was done but was put on hold in 2008, but the Minister and Alfred Nzo District Municipality through the Executive Mayor have agreed to kick-start Phase 2 which will entail conducting of the feasibility study, generation of the detailed designs and finally the construction of the bulk line. These processes are expected to be concluded in a period of 18 months,” reads the statement.

Minister Mchunu stated that the Ministry, the Provincial Department of Water and Sanitation, and District officials will collaborate by forming a task technical team to oversee the pipeline project’s commencement.

Minister Mchunu also emphasized that water reticulation should bring water to community households’ taps, not just communal taps.

“Let us leave the past behind and go forward on this project. The decision that has been taken here today needs to be implemented. Umgeni Water together with the Interim Board of Amatola Water will work together for the realisation of this major task.

“The people of Mbizana have been waiting long for water since the Ludeke Dam was built”, said Minister Mchunu.

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About Samantha Allen

Samantha Allen is a seasoned journalist and senior correspondent at TDPel Media, specializing in the intersection of maternal health, clinical wellness, and public policy. With a background in investigative reporting and a passion for data-driven storytelling, Samantha has become a trusted voice for expectant mothers and healthcare advocates worldwide. Her work focuses on translating complex medical research into actionable insights, covering everything from prenatal fitness and neonatal care to the socioeconomic impacts of healthcare legislation. At TDPel Media, Samantha leads the agency's health analytics desk, ensuring that every report is grounded in accuracy, empathy, and scientific integrity. When she isn't in the newsroom, she is an advocate for community-led wellness initiatives and an avid explorer of California’s coastal trails.