Technical Services Department
Engineering the Foundation, Sustaining Infrastructure
The main objectives and functions are to provide the basic needs of the community as well as maintain the standard of service provided. Access to basic services such as water, electricity and sanitation, is one of the key development indicators and a reliable measure for social and economic development.
Mr. NW Mbongwa
Technical Director
Sections under Technical Services:
Water and Sanitation
The responsibility for the provision of water in AbaQulusi is currently shared between Zululand District and AbaQulusi Municipality. Zululand District provides water in the rural areas while AbaQulusi Municipality’s area of supply is in urban areas only. AbaQulusi draws water from various sources including Bloemveld, Grootgewatcht, Klipfontein, Louwsburg, Boulder, Hlobane and Mvunyane Dams. The municipality is responsible for six water treatment plants.
Sanitation
Sanitation services in AbaQulusi Municipality is similar to that of water as the function is split between the District Municipality who is responsible for the rural areas and the local who is responsible for the urban areas.
Road Network
AbaQulusi Municipality is not adjacent to any major National trade and transportation route. However, it enjoys a relatively good level of access at a Provincial and regional level. This allows for a smooth flow of goods and movement of people in and out of the area. The R34 is the primary transportation route within the area. It runs through Zululand from the N2 and Richards Bay in the south through Ulundi, Vryheid and Paulpietersburg to Mpumalanga and Gauteng. The R69 on the other hand, runs east-west through the northern part of the municipal area.
The current Roads network consists of asphalt, paved, gravel and dust or informal roads. The Municipality is currently reducing the backlogs of upgrading gravel roads as well as rolling out repairs and maintenance on a daily basis, however most of the Vryheid CBD roads are showing signs of distress and are in need of rehabilitation. An estimated cost of R156 900 000 is required to repair and maintain 143km of paved roads within the Abaqulusi area.
Energy
To provide electricity for all residents in the Abaqulusi area. The department covers every intake area known as Vryheid/Bhekuzulu/Lakeside, eMondlo, Hlobane and Coronation. The current bulk networks to sustain development in the towns while also conforming to the Occupational Health and Safety Act as well as the Quality of Electrical Supply in terms of NERSA’s requirements for the Abaqulusi Municipality.
Current status on energy:
Vryheid – ESKOM supply via an 88/33 kV is supplied to the main intake substation which is transmitted via an overhead line on a 33 kV network to Mason Substation which is known as Mason Street Sub. We have two incoming breakers on the 33 kV networks to Mason substation. From the two incoming outdoor oil circuit breakers pole mounted (OCB’s). From the incoming breakers we have 3 OCB’s which feeds transformers 1, 2 and 3 which are stepped down from 33 kV to 11 kV which feeds our major substation known as Mason Substation. This in turn feeds the town of Vryheid/Bhekuzulu/Lakeside/Industrial areas/farm lands etc. Each transformer has a capacity of 20 MVA.
EMondlo – is currently supplied via an ESKOM supply from a 22 kV overhead line. There is a 10 MVA transformer currently situated at eMondlo which supplies the sections known A, B, C & D sections.
Coronation – intake sub is fed via a 33 kV overhead line and stepped down via a transformer to 6.6 kV. The municipality in Coronation takes the supply on a 6.6 kV system from ESKOM which is distributed to mini substations and pole transformers. The areas in Coronation are the new village, old village and Zamaqhule.
Hlobane– intake sub is fed via an 88 kV overhead line and stepped down via a transformer to 6.6 kV. The municipality in Hlobane takes the supply on a 6.6 kV system from ESKOM which is distributed to mini substations and pole transformers. This area also supplies Tutukani, Vaalbank and Cliffdale.
It must be noted that the municipality has just recently completed its Energy Masterplan in 2018 which was funded by Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) and will form the basis for implementing all new projects within the municipality in the next 10 years as well as guide the repairs and maintenance of electrical infrastructure.
Project Management Unit
This section coordinates the external funding projects. Funds received from COGTA, Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) and Department of Energy for electrification projects (INEP). Projects are prioritized as per Integrated Development Plan (IDP)