Limpopo's R19.7bn water pipeline gets quarterly ministerial checks
Water Minister Pemmy Majodina will visit MCWAP-2A every quarter to keep the 140km Crocodile River pipeline to Lephalale on time and on budget.
Lephalale — One of South Africa's biggest water projects will now get a minister's visit every three months. Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina committed to quarterly oversight of the Mokolo-Crocodile Water Augmentation Project Phase 2A (MCWAP-2A) after touring it in Lephalale and Thabazimbi on Tuesday, her department said. She said the visits are meant to keep it on time and within budget.
The project
- Cost: R19.7 billion.
- What: about 140km of pipeline carrying raw water from the Crocodile River between Thabazimbi and Lephalale, with an abstraction weir, pump stations, a river management system and a control centre.
- Agency: the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA), which hosted the visit and is becoming the South African National Water Infrastructure Agency.
Who it serves
Eskom's Medupi and Matimba power stations, Exxaro's Grootegeluk mine, other industrial users, and communities on the Waterberg District's bulk water system. TCTA board chair Precious Sibiya said Eskom needs the extra water because supplies around Lephalale are not enough, partly for Medupi's flue gas desulphurisation systems, which the World Bank made a condition of financing the plant.
Majodina was joined by Deputy Minister David Mahlobo and Limpopo MEC Pule Shayi. She said the project will build young people's skills and noted the many young women in leadership roles on it. No completion date was given.
Source: Department of Water and Sanitation, 21 October 2026.
