The Special Investigating Unit is now probing nine separate cases surrounding the failed multi-million rand Giyani Bulk Water Project which was meant to benefit 55 Limpopo villages.
This was revealed by water and sanitation minister Senzo Mchunu on Sunday as he conducted an inspection at the Nandoni Dam water pump station in Limpopo. Mchunu was making an oversight visit to the Mopani district to assess water infrastructure projects.
He was joined by President Cyril Ramaphosa who hosted an imbizo in the area.
“We looked at how the department was performing on delivering water. The SIU has seven investigations under way to do with this scheme. They have applied for two more investigations, meaning we will have nine cases being investigated,” Mchunu said.
“We are looking forward to when these reports come out and point to specific culprits on the disappearance of funds which is part of the R3bn that disappeared … It was money that was meant to change your lives,” Mchunu said.
Residents of Giyani demanded that the water problems be fixed in a reasonable amount of time.
Speaking to the populace, Ramaphosa expressed his trust in Mchunu and claimed that he had put a lot of effort into comprehending the water situation across the nation.
He informed the community that the Nandoni water project was making progress, but he also acknowledged that the inhabitants’ dissatisfaction was understandable.
The project was launched seven years ago, by the then Minster of water and sanitation minister, Nomvula Mokonyane. Residents were promised a stable water supply as the project costs ballooned from R2.2bn to R3.2bn over the years. But to date, the taps still run dry.
