Lephalale:Limpopo Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina, along with Deputy Minister David Mahlobo, will be conducting an oversight visit to the key construction sites of the second phase of the Mokolo and Crocodile Water Augmentation Project (MCWAP-2A) in Limpopo on Tuesday.
According to South African Government News Agency, the R19.7 billion initiative is designed to enhance the supply of bulk raw water to Lephalale and its neighboring regions. This will be achieved through a 140-kilometer pipeline that will transport water from the Crocodile River to Lephalale.
The project's infrastructure comprises an abstraction weir, a water transfer pipeline, pump stations, and other associated facilities, including a river management system and an operational control center. The completion of MCWAP-2A is expected to provide a crucial bulk raw water source for significant economic users such as Eskom's Medupi and Matimba power stations and Exxaro's Grootegeluk mine. It will also benefit commercial and industrial entities, as well as strengthen the bulk water infrastructure in the Waterberg District Municipality, ensuring reliable water supplies for local communities.
The oversight visit aims to evaluate the progress of this strategic infrastructure project, which is vital for ensuring long-term water security and fostering economic and industrial activities in the district. The Department of Water and Sanitation highlighted the importance of assessing project advancements, engaging with project teams and stakeholders to discuss implementation challenges, and identifying necessary interventions to maintain the project's timeline.
The visit will begin with an inspection of the pipeline-laying operations, including Section 6, followed by a visit to Thabazimbi to review the Left Bank Abstraction Works, jet grouting activities, and the Tocolite site. The Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA), responsible for financing and constructing bulk raw water infrastructure for the department, is implementing the project. This oversight will offer insights into the ongoing work and its impact on the district's future water security.