Radebe speaks on settlement reached between ELM and Randwater
The settlement, Radebe said, was facilitated through the Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Forum.
This agreement is said to have resulted in the upliftment of ELM's bank accounts, marking a significant step towards stabilising the municipality's financial position and ensuring the continued provision of water and sanitation services to our communities.
'We extend our sincere gratitude to the Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Hon. Jacob Mamabolo, for his leadership and continued support in ensuring a constructive and solution-driven engagement between the parties. The key terms of the Agreement include an initial payment of R660 million has been made to Rand Water. There will be further engagement,' the ELM said.
The parties are said to have have committed to reconvene in September to finalise a sustainable payment plan that is mutually acceptable.
'This agreement not only resolves the immediate financial impasse but also paves the way for the uninterrupted establishment of the Partnership between Emfuleni and Rand Water under the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), a critical intervention aimed at accelerating the restoration of water and sanitation infrastructure in Emfuleni.'
Radebe said that he views this settlement as a pivotal milestone in the municipality's broader efforts to address infrastructure challenges and improve service delivery.
'This agreement is a symbol of what can be achieved through collaborative governance and constructive dialogue. It represents a major leap forward in our mission to restore the dignity of the people of the Vaal by ensuring reliable water and sanitation services,' said Mayor Radebe.'
Radebe commend the following leaders and institutions for their commitment to finding an amicable resolution:
Rand Water Board Chairperson, Ramateu Monyokolo, and Group Chief Executive Sipho Mosai.
Emfuleni (ELM) Municipal Manager (MM), April Ntuli, and the leadership of both institutions.
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a day ago
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Radebe speaks on settlement reached between ELM and Randwater
SEDIBENG. – The Executive Mayor of Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM), Sipho Radebe recently announced his delight in announcing a landmark settlement agreement between ELM and national water supplier Rand Water. The settlement, Radebe said, was facilitated through the Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Forum. This agreement is said to have resulted in the upliftment of ELM's bank accounts, marking a significant step towards stabilising the municipality's financial position and ensuring the continued provision of water and sanitation services to our communities. 'We extend our sincere gratitude to the Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Hon. Jacob Mamabolo, for his leadership and continued support in ensuring a constructive and solution-driven engagement between the parties. The key terms of the Agreement include an initial payment of R660 million has been made to Rand Water. There will be further engagement,' the ELM said. The parties are said to have have committed to reconvene in September to finalise a sustainable payment plan that is mutually acceptable. 'This agreement not only resolves the immediate financial impasse but also paves the way for the uninterrupted establishment of the Partnership between Emfuleni and Rand Water under the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), a critical intervention aimed at accelerating the restoration of water and sanitation infrastructure in Emfuleni.' Radebe said that he views this settlement as a pivotal milestone in the municipality's broader efforts to address infrastructure challenges and improve service delivery. 'This agreement is a symbol of what can be achieved through collaborative governance and constructive dialogue. It represents a major leap forward in our mission to restore the dignity of the people of the Vaal by ensuring reliable water and sanitation services,' said Mayor Radebe.' Radebe commend the following leaders and institutions for their commitment to finding an amicable resolution: Rand Water Board Chairperson, Ramateu Monyokolo, and Group Chief Executive Sipho Mosai. Emfuleni (ELM) Municipal Manager (MM), April Ntuli, and the leadership of both institutions.
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The walk-through included stops at the raw water abstraction system, innovative spiral flocculators, vast sedimentation tanks, rapid sand filtration units, and the high-pressure pumping facilities that will transfer treated water into municipal reservoirs. Officials explained the plant's advanced treatment process: lime and ferric chloride dosing, gravity sedimentation, pH correction with carbon dioxide, rapid sand filtration, and final chlorination before distribution. At one point, the President paused to chat with employees, shaking hands, asking about their work, and congratulating them on the facility's scale and sophistication. One encounter drew smiles all around – Mohlago Angie Moekwa, a young Black woman and qualified Water Supply Engineer trained at Tshwane University of Technology through NSFAS, personally guided the President through the plant. 'The real success of our democracy is that it's you. You are a Black woman, you are young, and you are our success story. 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In his address, President Ramaphosa celebrated the completion of this plant, noting that the launch delivers on the commitment he made in the 2025 State of the Nation Address to take decisive steps to address South Africa's water challenges. 'We are celebrating the completion of a vital piece of infrastructure, and we are affirming our shared commitment to the people of South Africa to continuously provide clean, reliable and safe water. 'Water is not just a basic human need. It is the lifeblood of any thriving society. Water sustains life, supports industry, empowers agriculture and fuels innovation. Our people expect clean water when they turn on the tap. Clean water is not a luxury. It is a right,' the President said. The President stressed that water infrastructure is both a social imperative and an economic enabler, supporting industry, agriculture, and public health. He also called for vigilance against the theft and vandalism of infrastructure, and for a culture of consistent maintenance. A project of national importance System 5A is a flagship project of Rand Water's long-term infrastructure plan and it draws its raw water from the Vaal River via the Integrated Vaal River System. Phase 1 of System 5A, delivering 150 million litres per day, came online in August 2023, with the full 600 million litres per day capacity expected by December 2025. Its treatment process includes the dosing of lime and ferric chloride for coagulation, gravity sedimentation in 100-metre-long tanks, pH correction using carbon dioxide, rapid sand filtration, and final chlorination before distribution. Valued at R4.8 billion, the project has delivered significant socio-economic benefits since its inception in 2019. It has created 871 jobs across skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled levels, while training more than 2,140 beneficiaries in construction-related trades. 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Once fully operational, the facility will stand as a generational asset for the region, securing its water supply for decades and setting a benchmark for sustainable infrastructure development in South Africa. –
