Premier Sisi Ntombela, during her 2019/20 financial budget vote speech, announced that the province will develop a Spatial Development Framework for the Vaal River or Dam Area. 

She says to achieve this her province will work with the Offices of the Premier of Gauteng, North West, Mpumalanga, and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. This, as work by the National Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to revive and hold those implicated in polluting the river accountable, are ongoing.

Ntombela says among others the Strategic Infrastructure Projects unit will ensure integrated planning and reporting on strategic projects. She says based on the Investment Book, viable projects will be considered and packaged for funding and implementation. The WDS departmental spokesperson, Sputnik Ratau, told OFM News that the project led by the SANDF is being done in a multi-faceted approach because the process does not only involve cleaning the river but optimal operation levels must be achieved.

Ntombela says monitoring and evaluation is an important aspect of building a capable and developmental state. She adds that this role is intended to help the provincial government to better manage government service delivery programmes and projects. She further adds that the assessment of the extent to which departments are reaching their performance targets will also feature prominently as part of our monitoring and evaluation work.

OFM News