Kopanong spokesperson, Solomzi Phama, explains these projects are occurring mainly in Bethulie and include the urgent construction of a 3km pipeline to relieve the Lephoi township pump station. Phama adds that they will continue to upgrade old pump stations in the area and realign existing pipes to correct pre-1994 township designs. In October 2019, OFM News reported on the long-standing sewage spillage in Lephoi Township that was contaminating a local stream in the area. Phama blamed the spillage on the residents at the time, adding that they were blocking water pipes with stones and varied objects.

“It’s not a sewage spillage that is constantly there, but comes as and when people throw rocks and other objects in sewerage pipes”. Phama says Kopanong engaged Bloem Water on having the matter resolved. It’s not yet confirmed if Bloem Water forms a part of the current pump station project.

This municipality, Bethulie in particular, is now the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic in the Xhariep District. As of June, the area has 21 active cases, with 2 deaths reported to date. In mid-May, Bloem Water was forced to shut down its Orange River Regional Office after one of the water board’s employees tested positive for the novel virus. Since then, the municipality has seen a sharp increase in cases to the concern of the provincial health department. In addition to the above-mentioned projects, Kopanong is from the 9th of June beginning the second phase of their lockdown cleaning campaign.

Kopanong is no stranger to controversy over its mammoth debt to Bloem Water. In June 2018, the provincial government, led by Premier Sisi Ntombela, stepped in to assist the municipality to make a payment to the water board following protests in Jagersfontein over severe water restrictions on the municipality. The mining town at the time was already facing issues with water supply due to the infrastructure when the restrictions were imposed. In July 2018, the municipality installed section valves in Jagersfontein to ensure that water supply reached all residents, especially those in uphill areas.

OFM News