Makhanda residents will finally get their lost-and-found pump

Council asked to approve payment on top of millions spent on pump tender fiasco. By Estelle Ellis

- By Estelle Ellis

Ratepayers in the Makana Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape will now pay an additional R2.2-million for their “missing” R4.7-million water pump after the municipality finally, after more than three years, made a deal with the manufacturer to have the pump delivered and installed.

The decision was taken by the Makana municipal council on Wednesday, 18 September. Councillor Philip Machanik from the Makana Citizens Front said it was agreed to make the payment so that water supply to parts of Makhanda can be stabilised, as the pump is essential for the operation of the Howieson's Poort water treatment works.

The pump was originally meant to be financed through a water services grant from the Department of Water and Sanitation, but this was withdrawn because of the many delays in commissioning the project.

Ratepayers will also have to cough up to buy essential accessories for the pump and pay for its installation and warranty - even though all this was covered by the original R4.7-million tender. These additional costs are not yet known, and council documents do not explain why items listed in the original tender now require further funding.

The pump - long described as “missing” - has in fact been sitting in Donnlee Pump Tech's Benoni factory since February 2023, where it was being held in storage because of an outstanding payment.