After two decades of undrinkable water flowing from their taps, residents of Hammanskraal can now enjoy clean, safe water. The long-awaited breakthrough follows the completion of Phase 1 of the Magalies Klipdrift Water Treatment Plant project, according to City of Tshwane mayor Dr. Nasiphi Moya.
The mayor, flanked by City officials and local residents, marked this historic moment by drinking the first glass of purified water in the area.
“I had made a commitment that I would be the first to attest to the safety of the water in Hammanskraal. I have kept my promise,” said Moya.
“It was a joyful moment witnessing residents open their taps today. We are committed to ensuring that all residents in Hammanskraal have access to services delivered with dignity and respect.”
The breakthrough comes after extensive testing by the City, Magalies Water, and the national Department of Water and Sanitation.
The City said laboratory results confirm that the water now meets all required health standards for human consumption.
The City’s efforts included purging the local reticulation system, which was previously supplied by the Temba Water Works, and replacing it with clean water from the new Klipdrift Package Plant.
The upgraded system now supplies 12.5 megalitres per day (Mℓ/d) of treated water to several areas in Hammanskraal, including Wards 49, 73, 74, and 75.
Beneficiaries include Mandela Village, Marokolong, Ramotse, Kekana Gardens (Steve Bikoville), and Babelegi Industrial.
The struggle for clean water in Hammanskraal became urgent following a cholera outbreak in 2023 that claimed over 31 lives.
Residents also endured years of being billed for substandard water.
In November 2023, the City of Tshwane wrote off a staggering R684-million water debt owed by residents, citing the injustice of charging for undrinkable water.
Moya announced that billing for water would resume now that the supply is safe.
Meanwhile, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has completed the first stage of its investigation into alleged corruption in the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Plant tender.
The SIU has made criminal referrals to the National Prosecuting Authority and disciplinary referrals to the City of Tshwane.
The mayoral executive has welcomed these developments and awaits the formal report.
“We look forward to receiving the recommendations and acting decisively,” Moya said.
“Addressing the injustice of the failure to provide potable water to the residents of Hammanskraal must include consequence management for the failures and corruption of the initial project. The completion of the first part of the investigation by the Special Investigating Unit brings us one step closer to ensuring accountability.”
“We thank residents for their patience during the process of ensuring the safety of the water and will continue to work with Magalies Water and the Department of Water and Sanitation to successfully deliver the future phases of the project.”
Former Tshwane mayor and DA Caucus leader Cilliers Brink welcomed the delivery of clean water to Hammanskraal.
“I am proud of the role played by my coalition government, especially former mayoral committee member Themba Fosi, in driving this project to completion,” said Brink.
“A lot of work still has to be done, and things can still be bungled. But my heart warms to think that Hammanskraal residents finally have proof that government can, in fact, deliver good things.”
Brink stressed the need for sustainable operations moving forward.
“Tshwane must pay Magalies Water for the supply of clean water to Hammanskraal households. To achieve this, water consumption must be metered at every household. Beyond the basket of free basic services for the poor, consumers must be billed for their water usage.”
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