Deputy President Paul Mashatile says the government is taking quick action to fix water and electricity problems in different towns and cities across the country.
He spoke about this during a question and answer session in the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday.
Mashatile explained that the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) has made plans to swiftly deal with these issues. They’ve set up a Results Management Office and are changing the Municipal Infrastructure Grant to pay for fixing infrastructure.
They’re also considering sending more technical experts through the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA).
The Deputy President told Members of Parliament that the Results Management Office will help towns use less electricity and find other ways to get power, to reduce the impact of power cuts.
Last week, Mashatile and other officials visited Knysna Municipality in the Western Cape to help fix some of their problems. They managed to repair a vandalized pump station in the Hornlee area, restoring water supply to the community.
He emphasized that the government is committed to helping towns deliver services to people.
MISA is also talking to companies to pay for big water projects. Mashatile mentioned Sishen Mine and Anglo Platinum Mine as examples where companies are helping with water treatment upgrades.
Eskom has started a program to help towns fix electricity problems based on their needs, like fixing mini substations and transformers.
Mashatile said Parliament is working on a bill to create the South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency, which will improve water infrastructure and management.
He assured that the government will keep working hard to help towns provide reliable water and sanitation services to everyone in South Africa.
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