EXECUTIVE MAYOR DRIVES OVERSIGHT ON R4.8 MILLION DESPATCH WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT.
Published: April 21, 2026<< BACK TO NEWS
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Executive Mayor Cllr Babalwa Lobishe, accompanied by the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Infrastructure and Engineering, Cllr Buyelwa Mafaya, conducted an oversight visit and media engagement at the Despatch Wastewater Treatment Works. The visit formed part of the Municipality’s structured approach to monitoring capital expenditure, assessing infrastructure investment performance, and verifying delivery against approved upgrade plans, while also providing stakeholders and the public with a comprehensive overview of progress achieved and challenges encountered.
This intervention is aligned to the three priorities of the 7th Administration, namely strengthening service delivery, enabling infrastructure-led economic activity, and building a capable, responsive institution. It reflects a deliberate focus on improving capital spend discipline and ensuring that infrastructure investment translates into tangible and measurable service delivery outcomes.
The Despatch Wastewater Treatment Works, a critical facility serving the Despatch area, remains fully operational and is showing clear performance improvements following targeted investment. The total value of the refurbishment and upgrade programme amounts to R4 826 526, with current expenditure at R4 288 570, representing approximately 87.5 percent implementation progress. More than 90 percent of this allocation has been directed toward core water and sanitation infrastructure, reinforcing the Municipality’s commitment to frontline service delivery.
Executive Mayor Cllr Lobishe emphasised the importance of accountable infrastructure delivery, stating, "We are encouraged by the progress on the ground and the clear improvement in plant performance. This demonstrates a Metro that is responsive to the three priorities of the 7th Administration, where service delivery is visible, measurable, and sustained.”
Key upgrades undertaken at the plant include both infrastructure improvements and specific costed interventions:
- Installation of new energy-efficient lighting at a cost of R640 000.
- Supply and installation of two submerged pumps, sluice gates, grid plates, pipework, and couplings for grit pumps at a cost of R768 549.
- Refurbishment of two blower (buddy) boxes, supply of couplings for aerators, and supply of an irrigation pump at a cost of R380 000.
- Supply and installation of gearboxes and 10-inch rotation assemblies at a cost of R742 789.
- Servicing and maintenance of a generator at a cost of R77 632.
- Refurbishment of a 37kW gearbox at a cost of R530 000.
- Supply and installation of a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), Human Machine Interface (HMI), and Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) at a cost of R815 000.
- Refurbishment of recycle pumps at a cost of R827 000.
In addition to these costed interventions, critical process upgrades have been completed, including the full refurbishment of inlet screens to enhance wastewater screening, improvements to the grit removal system, replacement of mixers in the biological reactor, refurbishment of aerators, and upgrades to sludge wasting and return activated sludge pumps to improve plant stability and sludge management. Enhancements to the Motor Control Centre (MCC) and general facility housekeeping have further strengthened operational control and system reliability.
Mayor Lobishe further highlighted the strategic importance of such investments, adding that, "Every rand we allocate to water and sanitation must translate into reliability, dignity, and the protection of public health.”
The plant is currently operating at approximately 88 percent compliance, indicating improved effluent quality and enhanced operational stability. These upgrades form part of a broader medium- to long-term plan to support growth in the Despatch area, ensuring that the facility can accommodate future demand.
Despite the progress made, the Municipality continues to face operational challenges, including illegal discharge of non-compliant trade effluent, delays in the procurement of critical treatment chemicals, fluctuating E. coli levels within permissible limits, and aging infrastructure requiring further upgrades. Ongoing theft, vandalism, and illegal dumping also continue to impact operations and increase costs.
To address these challenges, the Municipality has implemented targeted interventions, including the deployment of additional private security, prioritisation of procurement processes, continuous water quality monitoring, and strengthened public awareness campaigns to encourage community participation in protecting municipal infrastructure.
The Executive Mayor reaffirmed that the Municipality will continue to update the media and the public within the current financial year as further work is undertaken to enhance sanitation infrastructure and ensure sustainable, reliable service delivery.
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