Solidarity calls for suspension of work by Cuban water engineers

The Department of Water and Sanitation initiated the programme to bolster maintenance work on existing infrastructure, including the Giyani bulk water infrastructure project in Limpopo. 

But the programme has some under fire over claims it puts South African experts on the backfoot. 

Solidarity also has written a legal letter to the department, calling into question the engineers’ eligibility to work in the country.  

“In our legal letter, Solidarity asks that the Cuban engineering programme be suspended immediately, and that assurance provided regarding the legality of the Cuban’s licensing and registration,” says Solidarity CEO Dirk Herman.  

“It appears that the minister’s decision to foolish and immoral but also illegal.  

“At face value, these engineers do not appear to meet the registration requirements of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) that would enable them to practise fully,” Herman adds. 

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Water and Sanitation spokesperson Sputnik Ratau says the department is aware of the concerns raised about the Cuban engineers.  

“These people are not South African so they would not have registered with ECSA by now but remember that in terms of registration, especially with the world body, Cubans have got a difficulty because of the blockade that is in place against Cuba. 

“The Cuban engineers are also as such impacted upon and that is why they are not able to register with the world body but not that they have not gone through the necessary training.”

Ratau adds the department met with ECSA on Wednesday and are expected to meet with Black Engineers Council soon. 

“Whether or not we are able to halt this process, which is underway already, will only be determined through the legal process. 

“We are interested in meeting all the interested parties.” 

Listen to Sputnik Ratau below: 

Solidarity has given the department until Friday to respond to the letter. 

Read the full letter below: