By Emily Setona
FOURIESBURG – The Executive Mayor of Dihlabeng Local Municipality, Tseki Tseki, has reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment to completing the Caledon Raw Water Abstraction Upgrade Project in Fouriesburg, despite significant weather-related delays.
Tseki visited the construction site recently to assess progress and respond to community concerns about the slow pace of the project, which is intended to boost water supply to Fouriesburg and nearby Masheheng.
Dihlabeng Communications Manager Tshediso Maitse confirmed that the project has lost more than half its planned time due to persistent rainfall and the size of the river catchment area, which spans over 1 450 square kilometres.
“Rain delays have caused about 65 lost working days, excluding consequential delays, which has significantly affected our schedule. However, we have made solid progress — the mass concrete for the pump house and the first section of the weir have been completed, dowelling is finished, and steel fixing is now under way, Maitse said.
He said the project remains within budget, with about 23 percent of funds spent so far.
Mayor Tseki urged residents to remain patient, assuring them that the municipality and the contractor are doing everything possible to get the project back on track.
“We understand the frustrations, but we are committed to ensuring this project is delivered and benefits our communities,” he said.
Although the official completion date is 20 April 2026, an extension to July or August 2026 is being considered to account for lost time.
Tseki noted that work is now focused on the pump house and high-lift pump station to ensure continued water supply to both Fouriesburg and Masheheng.
The municipality has thanked residents for their patience and promised to provide regular updates as construction continues.
