The probe into the maladministration of millions of rands, earmarked for the expansion and refurbishment of the Rooiwal Water Treatment Plant north of Pretoria, is long overdue.
These are the sentiments of the Tshwane ratepayers and civil society movements, who want the City of Tshwane and the Gauteng government to be jointly held accountable.
This followed an announcement for a proclamation by President Cyril Ramaphosa allowing the SIU to conduct a full-scale investigation into the R2.1 billion, that was allocated Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works project in 2018.
Concerned groups in Tshwane believe the SIU probe will bring to light what happened to the more than R2 billion that was set aside for the expansion of the Rooiwal Water Works Plant since 2018.
A further R295 million was channelled into the project late last year.
SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, outlines the scope of their investigation.
“The SIU will also investigate any unauthorised, irregular, or fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. Will cover all the unlawful conduct by the officials and the applicable suppliers and service providers or any person. The proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that took place between 1 January 2018 and 22 September 2023 which is the date of the proclamation.”
Tshwane executive mayor, Cilliers Brink hopes the SIU will broaden its investigation.
“It is very important that the SIU uses its power to get deeper into the bank accounts and transactions for officials and contractors. We have already done our part to blacklist that consortium to make it never does business with government again. There are certain limitations for us to get into bank accounts to some of the monies back.”
Civil movements, LASKA and SANCO, are calling for a speedy investigation that is not selective.
President of LASKA, Tshepo Mahlangu says, “We truly believe it cannot be a one-man show like where a finger points at one person. It was a collective, like there’s supply chain and procurement as well as finance that approves these transactions. So, it is a whole range of people.”
Water Affairs Minister, Senzo Mchunu, believes the investigation will help recover all the monies that cannot be accounted for.
“On the money spent, the SIU is given the authority and the greenlight to deal with that matter. They will tell if they find anything and there will be repercussions. And will give them all the support they want in their investigation.”
The plant has been left to deteriorate and compromised the quality of water supply in most parts of Tshwane — in particular Hammanskraal.
This saw President Ramaphosa visiting the Rooiwal Water Works Plant on a fact-finding mission in November last year.
Update on Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Plant
