05 Feb 2014

Water shortages in Tonota North constituency are only experienced when there is a breakdown in the water supply scheme or when there are power outages that last for more than 12 hours.

The Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Dikgakgamatso Seretse said this in Parliament when answering a question from MP for Tonota North on behalf of the Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources.

Minister Seretse said these events were not frequent but when they occurred, Marapong and Semitwe villages were affected the most as they were at the highest points of the Water Supply Scheme and it took longer for them to recover.

He said the most recent dry spell happened during the first week of November 2013 and it was due to vandalism of water mains near Goshwe.

The minister said he was aware of water supply challenges that had been experienced in some villages in the Tonota North constituency which were due to various factors and measures were in place to address outstanding ones.

He said in the past, Borolong water supply marginally met demand during peak periods. A storage tank of 500 cubic metres was commissioned on January 27, this year to improve supply during peak periods and currently there are no supply challenges in the area.

During December last year, Natale experienced water shortages and this has since been rectified by installing a new pump at the Mathangwane booster station. Minister Seretse said Mashongwa ward in Mathangwane experiences water shortages due to poor network reticulation.

He said a project is in place to upgrade the pipeline in the area and the project is scheduled for commencement in April and completion in June this year.

MP Fidelis Molao had asked the Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources whether he was aware of frequent water shortages in all the villages in Tonota North constituency.

He wanted the minister to state the cause for such and to state measures which would be put in place to solve the issue. Ends