R31 water to be drained into Vaal River

Sandi Kwon Hoo|Published 2 years ago

The MEC for Roads and Public Works, Fufe Makatong, informed the Public Protector’s Office that overflowing water along the R31 would be drained into the Vaal River. Picture: Soraya Crowie

THE OVERFLOWING water along the R31 to Barkly West will be diverted into the Vaal River as a “long-term solution” to the problem.

The road was closed after it became submerged as a result of leaks from Gogga pump station and fresh water leaks from the Riverton mainline.

A R32-million construction project was undertaken over several months to elevate the road by 1.5 metres.

The MEC for Roads and Public Works, Fufe Makatong, during a site visit to the R31 this week, told the acting public protector, advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, that the water would be drained into the Vaal River.

“The Department of Water and Sanitation is satisfied that there is no contamination of the water,” said Makatong.

She stated that the process would take six months to complete.

The acting public protector, advocate Kholeka Gcaleka. Picture: Soraya Crowie

Gcaleka requested a progress report on the matter.

She indicated that the provincial government had requested R2 billion in funding from the Minister of Finance to assist in improving bulk infrastructure and stated that she would revisit the city to monitor progress.

Gcaleka added that the R500 million that was announced in April 2021 by Premier Zamani Saul as an “urgent infrastructure investment” in Sol Plaatje Municipality to address potholes, sewage water and housing problems, did not form part of her investigations.