26 July 2004

By Sipho None

RAND WATER, the water utility company, and the Mogale City municipality have held a glittering function to unveil a programme to re-fence the Kagiso reservoir.

The aim is to reduce crime in and around the reservoir.

The launch - which was held at the Kagisanong hall and which was attended by councillors and the "who's who" of Kagiso - also paid tribute to 260 volunteers who participated in community education workshops.

The volunteers were awarded certificates after being taught about water purification, the reduction of water pollution and the alleviation of household leaks.

Keith Naicker, the general manager for sales and customer service at Rand Water, said the aim was to fight crime and educate people about water safety.

He said Rand Water had spent R400 000 on a steel palisade fence and lights around the reservoir. Naicker said the company and the municipality had seen the need to re-fence the reservoir, which was a "crime hub".

"The vicinity of the reservoir has become a crime spot where people are raped and robbed; the fencing of the site would put an end to this. As a caring organisation we could not fold our arms while this is happening.

"And we are therefore responding to the plight to bring life and hope to the community of Kagiso," Naicker said.

Rand Water is no stranger to the people of Kagiso. The water utility has undertaken a number of projects in the area, which have created jobs.

One project, which involves alien-vegetation eradication, has been running for six years. The project employs 53 people, of which 31 are women.

Godfrey Akondo, a recipient of a certificate in repairing leaks, said the partnership would help reduce crime around the reservoir. "And our community would also have a better knowledge and understanding on how to save and use water wisely."

Ndiko Gogotya - the water and sanitation portfolio head who was standing in for the executive mayor, Lentswe Mokgatle - said the fencing of the reservoir would strengthen the relationship between the municipality and Rand Water.

He said he was delighted by Rand Water's resolve. It had shown that it was "committed to sustainable development and the welfare of the community", Gogotya said.

Mogale City's water is among the best in the country. Three of the city's water-purification plants have been voted in the top five nationally.