26 Aug 2024

 The North South Carrier 1 (NSC 1) interconnection and Pallaroad Wellfield from Mahalapye does not cover Ramokgonami, Taupye, Malete, Seleka, Rasesa and Machaneng-Sefhare villages.

This was said by Minister of Lands and Water Affairs, Honourable Dr Kefentse Mzwinila, in response to a question in Parliament recently.

Dr Mzwinila explained that the villages were connected to Ramokgonami via a 110mm pipeline. He said the line formed part of phase III of the project, alongside additional village tanks to ensure adequate supply and storage for the villages.

During operation of the scheme, he said, the 110mm pipeline proved to be a constriction that hindered water delivery to the villages.

He said for different parts of the villages to receive water, rationing has to be carried out.

He added that vandalism had further compounded the problem as three out of 11 boreholes were dysfunctional, therefore reducing daily water supply to the Mahalapye Water Treatment Plant from 6.8 million litres per day.

He further said water treatment at Mahalapye Treatment Plant had to be further rationed between Mahalapye, Taupye and Shoshong enclave consisting of Bonwapitse, Mmutlane, Kalamare and Shoshong as well as Tswapong South.

“I am aware of water rationing in Machaneng, Seleka, Rasesa, Malete and Taupye and the demand currently amounted to four million litres per day against supply of 3.8m litres which translates to a deficit of 0.2 litres,” he said.

He attributed the shortfall to primarily reduced output from Pallaroad Wellfield as a result of vandalism of power cables in eight boreholes.

In the interim, he said, repair works were ongoing to replace stolen power cables at the Pallaroad Wellfield with the help of Botswana Power Cooperation (BPC).

He said Ramokgonami borehole which used to be a primary source to supply cluster villages was used in conjunction with water from Mahalapye, adding rationing and bowsing within the villages would continue to augment supply as and when required.

Dr Mzwinila said for medium to long-term periods, completion of NSC 2.2 and Tswapong South Phase I would provide sufficient water supply to all villages supplied from Mahalapye node (Mahalapye, Shoshong and Tswapong South clusters).

Furthermore, he said, the transition line from Ramokgonami, Taupye, Malete, Seleka, Rasesa and Rasesa including the village tanks will be upgraded under the Tswapong South Phase III project planned for in the twelfth National Development Plan (NDP 12).

Sefhare-Ramokgonami MP, Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang had asked the minister to apprise Parliament on the water pipeline from Ramokgonami to Seleka, Rasesa, Malete and Taupye as well as water pipeline connecting at Sefhare and Machaneng.

Dr Gobotswang also asked the minister to state plans in place to remedy the situation in the short, medium to long terms.

He further requested for explanation on water supply challenges at Machaneng, Seleka, Rasesa, Malete and Taupye resulting in rationing and bowsing in some places. ENDS