Ndlambe Catchment Management Forum – Minutes of Meeting on 24 May 2023

MINUTES OF THE MEETING

Ndlambe LM Catchment Management Forum 

Port Alfred Civic Centre

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• Opening and welcoming

The Chairperson opened the meeting and welcomes all present.

2.0. Introduction and apologies

All introduced themselves and an attendance register was circulated.

Attendance register:

3.0. Approval of Agenda

The Agenda of the day was subjected to analysis, the conclusions of which were at the end of the minutes.

4.0. Minutes of the Previous Meeting

These were sent out prior to the meeting. There were no corrections. Thus, these are deemed as approved.

5.0. Matters Arising

All matters arising in the minutes of the meeting of 28 March were dealt with by the Secretariat prior to the meeting. A checklist of actions taken were circulated prior to the meeting as well.

6.0. Presentations

Two presentations were scheduled for the meeting namely a presentation on the River Health Programme  and a Presentation on Water Use Activities regulated by the Department of Water and Sanitation. These were deferred to the next meeting.

7.0. Inputs on water quality and illegal water use

The inputs were deferred to General.

8.0. Feedback by Sector Partners/Projects

These were covered in the next item of the Agenda.

9.0. Way Forward

Mr Matome Mahasha led the fourth meeting of the Ndlambe Management Forum. Mr Mahasha stated that he wished to tease out issues at the meeting and placed all stakeholders in a circle to facilitate this process.

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Mr. Maluleka stated that different towns in Ndlambe were supplied by different water sources for example Bushmans and Kenton on Sea were supplied by a reverse osmosis plant which purifies saline water from the river. In that system the municipality has a Technical Task Team that is responsible for looking after the whole value chain from abstraction to supply He added that Amatola Water are also custodian of the plant. Concerns and issues could be escalated to this Task Team in accordance with the mechanism for doing so. He added that a second Deputy Director was responsible for the East and Mr Maluleka stated for the record that he would talk to this person. He also stated that the municipality worked closely with the Ratepayers Associations.

Ms Luppnow stated that the Ratepayers Associations all had their own contacts within Ndlambe LM. She stated that she was disappointed that there were not more officials from Infrastructure in attendance.  She said that PARRA worked with Mr Mbambana  and also with Community Protection Services who provided test results to PARRA.

Ms Luppnow referred to borehole water and testing of such water. She said PARRA has posed numerous questions to Ndlambe about this. She asked whether the necessary tests were being done as borehole water was often sold on when Port Alfred was in a low water time. She clarified that Port Alfred suffers from a lack of water coming out of taps due to problems with pumps which happens regularly. She said that people buy in water to consume from borehole suppliers who pump around the area. Ms Luppnow said that their representation at the meeting was crucial as PARRA needed to know that the water that residents and ratepayers are putting into their tanks and consuming was compliant.

Mr Maluleka stated that the forum was in an infant stage of development. He added that even the municipality was uncertain who should attend. He apologised on behalf of the municipality for the absence of officials who he stated were not invited. He said that this engagement was useful as it provided clarity regarding who should be present. He concluded by saying that Ndlambe LM will work with Ms Marfia in regard to  the database for the meeting.

ACTION: MR MALULEKA & MS MARFIA: DATABASE OF INVITTEES FROM NDLAMBE LM

 Mr McNamara of AgriEC referred to a matter that was sub-judice regarding boreholes which he alleged were being pumped illegally in three sites within the Ndlambe LMs jurisdiction. He said the matter was a very serious concern. He stated that compliance was critical. He stated that people were making money out of abstracting from these boreholes. He said the boreholes were unsustainable. Mr McNamara said that the Department of Water and Sanitation and Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement had done nothing about the matter. He stated that they had resorted to litigation.

Mr Matome Mahasha said this was a good input. He stated that the matter must be dealt with at every meeting so that the matter was addressed.

ACTION: MS MARFIA: RAISE ALLEGED UNSUSTAINABLE BOREHOLES AT EVERY MEETING:

It was added that there were two waste sites at Boknes, and a concern was raised about pollution Further, there was a problem with sewerage spills in the vicinity of Boknes. It was stated that nothing had been done about this.

Ms Jack From the Department of Water and Sanitation and the Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement unit (CME) expressed her concern about illegal water use. She stated that she was going  to go back to the Department of Water and Sanitation officials to get the status of the case. She stated further that CME would take over the case and provide feedback.

She was asked whether that would include pump stations which had been vandalised so that sewerage flowed.

Ms Jack from CME stated that sewerage spills could be reported to the Director, Ms Tabisa Fiko and she provided the Directors email address as fikot@dws.gov.za

ACTION: ALL: REPORT SEWERAGE SPILLS

Ms Jack said that if stakeholders noticed illegal water use such as someone building a dam in the absence of registration and licensing, they should report the matter. She asked that stakeholders provide proper information so the Department could investigate. She said that CME would provide full feedback to the Forum.

The question of what was illegal water use and what action should be taken in the particular matter was asked. It was stated that it was necessary to address such matters. This could be clarified further at the next meeting.

Mr Rowlston of PARRA suggested that everyone should submit a concise report of their issues and send this to the Director. It was also urged that such documents should be provided to CME. He said further that it was important that there was no overlap or duplication.

He said that the Agenda must be streamlined.

Mr Rowlston said he was glad the municipality was in the loop as well.

Mr Matome Mahasha said that he agreed that the Agenda should be streamlined.  He said further that this was what would guide the meeting.

It was stated that it was very important that the CMF did not supersede the Ndlambe Municipality. It was stated that particular issues of concern among the Ndlambe Ratepayers Associations needed to be thrashed out with the municipality and then, brought back to the CMF.

Mr Matome Mahasha said that task teams could be set up and sub-committees could work like that. There could be a Ratepayers sub-forum for example he said. He said that he always advised that there was an umbrella CMF and then, sub-CMFs could be established. Issues could then, be tabled at the umbrella CMF meetings he said and cascaded down and then, reported on at the umbrella CMF meeting.

The meeting looked at representivity in general and it was agreed that a lot of work needed to be undertaken to address the lack of progress in this regard. Mr Matome Mahasha said mapping of stakeholders needed to be undertaken to bring everyone on board.

ACTION: MS MARFIA: MAPPING STAKEHOLDERS FOR INCLUSIVITY

It was also agreed that there was a need for capacity building.

Ms Luppnow of PARRA agreed that there was a need for representation. She made the point that transport and office hours were impediments to stakeholders attending meetings such as the one underway. She added that sub-committees made sense to her and that these were paramount.

The Forum needed to provide integrated awareness creation.

Vandalism was another topic which warranted awareness raising.

Mr Mahasha asked the COGTA representative Mzwake Clay about traditional leadership in the area. Mr Clay responded that Khoisan traditional leadership was of relevance, and this was under investigation.

Mr Clay stated further that every ward had a ward councillor and a ward committee’s which could be accessed to bring inclusivity into the meeting.

Mr Mahasha asked the Department of Health representative Zizo Xhego what she died in Ndlambe LM. She responded that she engaged in monitoring water samples and waste fills for environmental health purposes.

The Department of Environmental Affairs Forestry and Fisheries stated they focused on wetland restitution. Further, WfW was busy in a few catchments in Makana LM. They stated they hoped service providers would want to work in Ndlambe LM. The Department would advise the forum on upcoming projects.

Susan Muirhead asked about an activity for World River Day on 24 September. Mr Mahasha stated that River Walks worked quite well or a River Clean Up could be initiated. The latter took a lot of work to prepare and required PPE.

A stakeholder wanted to know what the municipality was doing with its sludge? Was the municipality being approached in this regard? Mr Maluleka said they were open to suggestions and if there were projects, they considered them. He said the Ndlambe LM pilots

Mr Ngilana said that Rand Water had  created a website and asked if Amatola Water also had such a website.

Mr  Mbandazayo of the Department of Water and Sanitation’s River health Programme asked if there was a pollution concern with a river in Ndlambe LM as then the Department of Water and Sanitation could intervene with a river clean-up.

Mr Mahasha then, turned to addressing the Agenda for the next meeting. He asked what do we revise and what do we keep?

The meeting agreed that the first 6 items on the Agenda should remain the same. Number 7 on the Agenda, namely ‘inputs on water quality and illegal water use ‘ should be addressed in terms of source and how addressed and given a time frame.

Item 8 in the Agenda should state Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment and not Working for Water (WfW). Under the same item 8 (a) and (b) should reflect as DRDAR or the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform. Item 9(d) should refer to Sarah Baartman  and under (g) the item for Farmers should be changed to Farmers Associations and there should also be a separate  item for farmers. In addition, the Department of Health and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs should be included.

Ms Luppnow  requested that Stenden University also be invited to attend and participate as the local university.

Mr Mahasha stated that Sanitation was an important role player and should also be included in the Agenda under 8.

There was also an appeal for Game Reserves and SANPARK to be invited. Ms Luppnow suggested that Enviro Champs should also be invited.

ACTION: MS MARFIA: MAPPING OF STAKEHOLDERS TO INCLUDE GAME RESERVES & SANPARKS

Mr McNamara asked for clarity regarding Schedule 1. He said there were misconceptions about this. The problem was that a lot of water use by farmers was Schedule 1. He added the Department needed to assist these farmers. The Department says that it was not aware of these boreholes. He asked how one registers Schedule 1. He said it was a grey area and particularly for Ndlambe LM.

Ms Jack of Department Water and Sanitation, CME said that the farmers needed to lodge onto e-WULAS and then move to a pre-authorisation meeting. She said the farmers will not move on but, leave their use on the system and then, go to WARMS. The turnaround time for Schedule I would be faster. The Department could host a virtual meeting and invite all. WARMS could then engage and then, together all could map the way forward. It was stated that CME should approach WARMS with this.

ACTION: SCHEDULE 1, WARMS: MS JACK

Mr Mahasha said if all were happy with the name of the CMF then, it would stand.  He advised that the CMF should meet monthly until it was established. The venue was agreed, and the start time was agreed to as 10:00.

ACTION: MS MARFIA: MONTHLY MEETINGS

Ms Luppnow asked if site visits were still planned. She believed these needed to be planned strategically. She advised that there was a need to arrange for keys and to obtain the permission of farmers if the CMF were going to transverse their land. Mr Maluleka stated that it would be necessary to write to the Director of Infrastructure and ask permission if the CMF wished to visit municipality property or works. He said clear reasons would need to be provided. It was agreed that the relevant people must attend and pose relevant questions. He added that it was probably best to write to the Municipal Manager and indicate the purpose of the site visits and state that relevant people would be in attendance.

Ms Luppnow stated that she did not want to go and look at the water in the Sarel Haywood Dam for example.

Mr Mahasha said that site visits could be a platform for different stakeholders to engage in catchment issues. It was important to ask what the purpose of the visit was ahead of anything else. Those who were interested could attend. PPE was raised.

ACTION: SITE VISITS: MS MARFIA

Mr Ngilana of the Department of Water and Sanitation said that it was most likely that the Department would not be able to participate in site visits.

Mr Mahasha talked to the Constitution and Terms of Reference for the Forum .

He said that the Forum should serve as a platform for different role players to engage and share information and resolve problems; the CFM should co-ordinate this.

The Terms of Reference and the Area of Operation could be part of the Agenda.

He restated the importance of holding monthly meetings until the CMF was established and it was agreed that these would be held in the same venue at the same time with the next meeting taking place on 26 July 2023. It was suggested that Ms Marfia should phone around about the other meeting dates.

ACTION: SECURING THE VENUE: MS MARFIA & MR MALULEKA

The site visits would be for those who would like to participate in them and on 24 And 25 July.

ACTION: SITE VISITS: MS MARFIA

Mr Mahasha stated for the record that the Ndlambe CMF should be hard on problems but not very hard on people.

10. General

This item was exhausted as above.

11.Closure

The meeting was declared closed by the Chairperson Mr Ngilana.

LIST OF ACTIONABLE ITEMS FOR ATTENTION

1. ACTION: MR MALULEKA & MS MARFIA: DATABASE OF INVITTEES FROM NDLAMBE LM
2. ACTION: MS MARFIA: RAISE ALLEGED UNSUSNTAINALBE BOREHOLES AT EVERY MEETING:
3. ACTION: ALL: REPORT SEWERAGE SPILLS
4. ACTION: MAPPING STAKEHOLDERS FOR INCLUSIVITY]: MS MARFIA
5. ACTION: MS MARFIA: MAPPING OF STAKEHOLDERS TO INCLUDE GAME RESERVES & SANPARKS
6. ACTION: SCHEDULE 1, WARMS: MS JACK
7. ACTION: MS MARFIA: MONTHLY MEETINGS & MEETINGS FOR YEAR
8. ACTION: SITE VISITS: MS MARFIA
9. ACTION: SECURING THE VENUE: MS MARFIA & MR MALULEKA
10. ACTION: SITE VISITS: MS MARFIA