On Friday, November 23 2018, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will visit the Vaal River System rehabilitation project currently underway. The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) deployed technical teams to restore infrastructure at the polluted Vaal River system following an announcement by finance minister Tito Mboweni during his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement in October that the defence force had been called on to assist in efforts to urgently rehabilitate the Vaal River system.
 
Communities affected by the water pollution caused by raw sewage flowing into the river from pump stations in the Emfuleni Municipality include Vereeniging, Sebokeng, Boipatong and Sharpeville. Despite limited resources and capabilities, members of the army have been hard at work restoring dysfunctional plants and substations.
 
“The rehabilitation of the Vaal River system is a priority to us and we cannot succeed alone. The visit on Friday is not only meant to check on progress made by the army, but to garner support from surrounding communities and business people in the area. We are of the view that working together with external stakeholders could assist us in finding sustainable solutions to the water crisis in the Vaal River system,” said Minister Mapisa-Nqakula.  
 
The site visit will include inspections of two treatment plants and three water pump stations. An engagement session with business leaders and various stakeholders in and around the Emfuleni Local Municipality is also scheduled to take place afterwards.
 
Local government leaders and Rand Water officials will accompany the minister and the apex leadership of the SANDF.
 
Members of the media are invited to all site inspections and are advised to arrive at the meeting point, where they will be taken through the entire programme no later than 11h00. All five sites are 5-6 kilometers away from each other.

Details of site visits are as follows:

Date:                                                                        Friday, 23 November, 2018

Time:                                                                        11h00-12h00

Meeting point/first treatment plant to be inspected:     Sebokeng Wastewater Treatment Plant

GPS Coordinates:                                                     26°34'29.03"S, 27°49'2.64"E

Enquiries:       Joy Nonzukiso Peter 082 9900407
 
Issued by GCIS on behalf of the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans
22 November 2018