Almost seven years after completion of the Nandoni Dam project, residents of Limpopo are yet to benefit from this R2,1 billion project, with their taps remaining as empty as government’s promises.

During a visit by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) to Vhembe last week, yet another promise was made to deliver water, with Mr Alson Matukane, the Director of Water Affairs in Limpopo, announcing that an amount of R700 million has been put aside to address the challenges at Nandoni.

The biggest challenge facing government at this stage is the completion of the pipeline network meant for getting the water to the people.

This process, however, is marred by prolonged legal battles between government and the appointed contractor. Matukane said it had come to their attention that the pipes that were used in the project were of poor quality and that the department was in the process of prosecuting the previous contractor for poor workmanship in order to recoup the funds.

He said, however, that the litigation was taking too long and this was the reason why additional funds were made available to erect parallel pipes, so as to speed up the provision of water in the area.

"We have approached the treasury, and funds have been made available. We are now in the process of appointing a new contractor and we are hopeful that, by March 2012, residents of this area will be using water from Nandoni," said Matukane.

Not only the Vhembe District Municipality is embroiled in legal battles with regard to the completion of the much-needed pipeline, but also the Mopani District Municipality (MDM).

A costly legal battle between the MDM and two companies, who initially tendered for the building of the pipeline between Nandoni and the Nsami Dam (Giyani), is currently raging in the Constitutional Court. The MDM awarded the R200 million tender to Tlong Re Yeng Trading and Projects in November last year. The court has since granted Cycad Pipelines and Esorfranki Pipelines an interdict against the MDM from continuing with the construction of the pipeline. This after the two comapnies questioned the processes followed by the MDM in awarding the tender to Tlong Re Yeng. Cycad and Esofranki's bids were respectively R40 milion and R10 million less than that of Tlong Re Yeng. 

A lawyer, who has a vested interest in the case, said “this will cost the MDM” and added that the serious allegations about the MDM’s handling of the tender could also “bite the MDM”.