MPUMALANGA WATER LEVELS @KASIBCNEWS

The latest Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) weekly state of reservoirs report dated 20 January 2025 shows that water levels continue to improve in most of the listed dams and water management areas in the Mpumalanga Province.

According to the report, the average dam levels in the Mpumalanga province recorded an increase from 93.1% to 94.9%. In terms of the Water Management Areas (WMA), the Limpopo-Olifants WMA increased from 83.0% to 84.6% and the Inkomati-Usuthu WMA increased from 88.6% to 91.0%. 

Water levels also improved in the three districts with Ehlanzeni increasing from 80.4% to 85.4%, Gert Sibande from 97.5% to 97.8%, and Nkangala from 97.6% to 98.9%.

The majority of listed dams in the Lowveld and Ehlanzeni District recorded improvements in water volumes except for Buffelskloof Dam which recorded a drop from 105.2% to 101.0%. 

The listed dams which recorded improvements include Blyderivierpoort increasing from 100.3% to 101.0%, Driekoppies from 83.5% to 85.4%, Longmere from 92.8% to 98.2%, Klipkopjes from 75.0% to 84.9%, Witklip from 81.9% to 94.0%, Primkop from 86.7% to 100.0%, Kwena from 73.8% to 83.4%, Da Gama from 87.3% to 97.9%, Inyaka from 77.8% to 82.7%, and Ohrigstad from 26.9% to 37.1%.

Most listed dams in Gert Sibande District some improvements with a few recording some declines. On the positive, Grootdraai Dam increased from 103.3% to 103.8%, Jericho increased from 77.7% to 80.4%, Westoe increased from 71.4% to 89.3%, and Morgenstond increased from 62.2% to 75.9%.

The dams which recorded declines include Nooitgedacht from 104.6% to 99.0%, Vygeboom from 105.7% to 101.1%, and Heyshope from 104.2% to 100.7%. 

In the Nkangala District, Witbank and Rhenosterkop dams recorded improvements, increasing from 97.7% to 99.1% and 89.0% to 95.8%, respectively.

Middelburg and Loskop dams recorded declines, dropping from 95.6% to 94.7% and 102.7% to 101.2%, respectively.

The Department of Water and Sanitation continue to encourage citizens to use water wisely and sparingly given that South Africa is a water scarce country. DWS further urges the public to conserve water and make every drop count. Additionally, the public is encouraged to prevent water losses by fixing and reporting leaks.

ADELAIDE TAMBO HOSPITAL IN EASTERN CAPE @KASIBCNEWS 

The Eastern Cape Department of Health has launched an investigation into a malicious document that has been circulating on social media claiming there are no doctors at Oliver and Adelaide Tambo District Hospital in Mbizana.

We want to put it on record that this is malicious fake news because there are 16 doctors at the hospital.

Contrary to the document, there will be no days whereby there are no doctors at the hospital.

We want to categorically state that the Mbizana community will continue to receive quality healthcare services from Oliver and Adelaide Tambo District Hospital.

In anticipation of the facility becoming a regional hospital in the future, we have been recruiting medical officers to start at the hospital from the 1 February 2025.  

Appropriate action will be taken against anyone found to be responsible for the malicious document that threatens to cause reputational damage to the Eastern Cape Department of Health.

We are prevailing on the public  to stop sharing the document as the fake news is causing unnecessary consternation and panic.

RAPE EVERY 72 HOURS SAPS @KASIBCNEWS

KASIBCAUDIO

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jGd9vi_XeSwb7L53WtSh5zpGdfeRDM-K/view?usp=drivesdk

The DA is sickened by revelations from IPID (Independent Police Investigative Directorate) of South African Police Service Officers (SAPS) being accused of committing rape on average every 72 hours.

The DA has written to Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Ian Cameron MP, to request the appearance of SAPS Senior Management, to account for this scourge of sexual violence within law enforcement.

We demand answers on these investigations, and what precautions are being taken to ensure that one officer who is investigating, is not protecting another officer who is accused.

Individuals in the very institution meant to protect us from crime, are now accused of violating vulnerable South Africans at an alarmingly high rate.

Importantly, this is not a complete reflection of SAPS - but rather a rotten few. SAPS must rid all delinquent officers within its ranks, who tarnish the good work done by many officers in the line of duty.

The DA wants SAPS to work well, and we have introduced numerous proposals aimed at strengthening our police services. Importantly,

• Devolving police resources to where communities are;
• Strengthening crime intelligence to prevent crime and dismantle syndicates;
• Bolstering detective capabilities to ensure criminals are brought to book;
• Conducting lifestyle audits of police personnel to stem corruption;
• Establishing an independent anti-crime and prosecution body to ensure cases are sentenced.

Our fight against crime in general requires a whole of society approach, and we need SAPS to play its part.

We cannot have South Africans losing confidence or being fearful of police officers.

Police officers found to have committed rape only deserve the harshest consequences of the law they are meant to uphold.

MAFUBE CLEAN WATER @KASIBCNEWS

KASIBCAUDIO https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j9LIyBusXpxCGlmJ9ovkuJK5hLSqK1Nn/view?usp=drivesdk

The Democratic Alliance (DA) will intensify oversight of the Mafube Local Municipality and demand immediate action to ensure clean, reliable water for all residents. The failure to address water quality and supply issues in Frankfort, Tweeling, and surrounding areas continues to harm the community despite adequate rainfall and ongoing projects.

On 14 January 2024, during a monthly feedback meeting on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project shutdown, DA Councillor Suzette Steyn represented the interests of Mafube residents. The meeting covered updates on the maintenance-related tunnel closure, municipal interventions during this period, and the condition of local rivers.

At the previous meeting on 11 December 2024, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) official, Ms G Venter, committed to discussing water quality testing results with Mr S Thejane, Mafube’s acting technical director. However, at the January meeting, Mr Thejane admitted to failing to meet this request. He attributed the lack of water quality control in Frankfort and Tweeling to high turbidity levels in the Wilge River and Liebenbergsvlei.

Additionally, he revealed that three of the six sand filters at Frankfort’s water treatment plant are non-operational, with the plant upgrade only expected to be completed by October 2025.

The ongoing Frankfort abstraction and raw water supply upgrade project aims to resolve these issues. Key benefits of this project include implementing an immediate temporary pumping solution at the Frankfort abstraction works; refurbishing Frankfort’s water treatment plant; and replacing the current pipeline, prone to frequent bursts, with a more durable 630mm HDPE pipe that will increase capacity from 160 l/s to 267 l/s (23 ml/day).

Construction is already underway. However, Engineer Philip de Wet from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) criticised Mafube Local Municipality’s poor project management, underspending, and slow progress, which limit the department’s ability to allocate additional funds. He also highlighted severe waste dumping near the Frankfort water extraction point, warning it could lead to contamination. Immediate action to clean this area is critical. Mr Thejane noted that a request for assistance with debris removal was submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs, but feedback is still pending.

The water crisis in Tweeling also remains dire. Residents have endured an eight-day outage without any prior communication. Mr Thejane explained that a burnt-out cable required a new pump motor, while delays in upgrading the Tweeling pump station exacerbated the situation.

Rural Free State has since begun upgrading the electrical system, but persistent low water pressure continues to affect higher-lying areas. This issue can only be resolved when six new boreholes are equipped and operational. Unfortunately, the borehole pump house’s relocation due to flood line issues has delayed progress. DWS confirmed they have received the updated servitude request.

The DA is deeply alarmed by Mafube’s insufficient water quality control measures. The reliance on “jar tests” conducted by chemical suppliers is inadequate to ensure potable water for our communities. Complaints about yellow, foul-smelling water are increasing daily, raising serious public health concerns.

To address these challenges, the DA will:

• Submit formal questions to the Department of Water and Sanitation regarding water quality testing processes and timelines for infrastructure upgrades;
• Demand Mafube Municipality urgently expedite all outstanding processes, including the relocation of the Tweeling pump house and the completion of Frankfort’s water treatment plant upgrade;
• Insist on immediate waste removal near Frankfort’s water extraction point to prevent contamination; and
• Strengthen our oversight efforts to hold the municipality accountable for providing safe, clean drinking water—a basic human right.

The neglect of Mafube’s water systems continues to harm residents’ health and daily lives. The DA calls on the municipality to prioritise action and restore dignity to our communities.

ILLEGAL MINERS #KASIBCAUDIO

EFF MP, Commissar Sinawo Thambo in conversation with Ashraf Garda on SAfm’s The National Pulse, discussing the hateful remarks made by MMC Kenny Kunene regarding the slaughter and skinning of illegal miners.

ROYAL AM R27MILLION SPONSORSHIP @KASIBCNEWS

The Democratic Alliance in Msunduzi local municipality has submitted a motion calling for the municipality to review and ultimately terminate R27 million sponsorship for the Royal AM football club (view motion here).

The municipality cannot continue supporting a business facing serious legal proceedings, including allegations of tax evasion. Non-compliance with tax laws and deliberate tax evasion are criminal offences that should not be taken lightly by any municipal authority.

Maintaining a relationship with an entity under such scrutiny is damaging to the municipality’s reputation. Royal AM is already under curatorship, facing sequestration processes, and unable to pay staff salaries. The club has breached contracts with former players, is facing sanctions from FIFA, and risks being declared insolvent by the world football governing body. Continuing this sponsorship brings nothing but disrepute to the Msunduzi Municipality.

The DA has consistently opposed the sponsorship of Royal AM, especially given the dire state of service delivery in Msunduzi. Collapsing infrastructure has left residents without consistent access to water and electricity. The DA strongly believes that the R27 million allocated to Royal AM could be better utilized to address these critical issues and support the youth of Msunduzi through the maintenance of sports facilities and the funding of sports and youth programs. Young people in the municipality are left vulnerable to crime and drug abuse due to a lack of support, yet Msunduzi is funding an entity that contributes nothing to the city apart from controversy and embarrassment.

The DA will also appeal to the Provincial Treasury and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) to intervene in this matter.

Msunduzi deserves better. The municipality must prioritize its residents and redirect funds to address urgent service delivery and youth development needs.

CRIMINAL CASE OPENED AGAINST MINISTER DEAN MACPHERSON @KASIBCVIDEO

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) will open a criminal case against Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson, for his corrupt interference in tender processes at the Independent Development Trust (IDT), violation of National Treasury Regulations and violation of the Executive Members Ethics Act, 1998.