The DA in Mpumalanga has written to newly appointed CoGTA MEC, Mandla Ndlovu, requesting him to remove all asbestos cement pipes in Victor Khanye Local Municipality. These pipes in the network have been proven to contain fibers and dust that are a health hazard to people.
In December 2015, Nomvula Mokonyane, the former Minister of Water and Sanitation, replied to a DA question in Parliament that the constant water supply interruptions in the towns of Delmas, Sundra, Rietkol and Eloff (in Victor Khanye) was due to the ageing of the bulk water pipeline which was made of asbestos cement.
The Minister recommended that officials from this municipality must submit a request to the Mpumalanga Provincial Department of CoGTA to replace this pipe network in Sundra, Rietkol and Eloff. This has not materialised.
Seven years later, these pipes are found in the Modder B pipeline which is approximately 17 km long and in around 90% of a 60 km water reticulation network in Eloff, Sundra and Rietkol. It is extremely concerning that the bulk of this netwrok was not changed given the frequent water pipe bursts and the health hazards which is posed by asbestos.
In recent times, the Helen Suzman Foundation noted that many studies have indicated health risks which are posed to humans beyond the inhalation of asbestos fibres. There is evidence which suggests that the ingestion of asbestos fibres from contaminated water in these pipes could also be a potential health hazard in the cause of differing types of cancers.
Acknowledging the above, the DA has written to the MEC of CoGTA, Mandla Ndlovu, requesting that he devises projects to replace this pipe network found in Victor Khanye and elsewhere in the province.