Interim Comment in Terms of Section 38(8) of the National Heritage Resources Act (Act 25 of 1999) Attention: Sedibeng Water

Ventersburg Bulk Water Supply from Koppie Alleen to Ventersburg

Our Ref:

Enquiries: Ragna Redelstorff Date: Thursday January 19, 2017 Tel: +27 (0)21 202 8651 Page No: 1 Email: [email protected] CaseID: 10510

Interim Comment In terms of Section 38(8) of the National Heritage Resources Act (Act 25 of 1999) Attention: Sedibeng Water

Ventersburg is located approximately 160km north-east of Bloemfontein along the N1 and is supplied with potable water by Sedibeng Water. The water is transferred via a pipeline from the Koppie Alleen Reservoir in Riebeeckstad. The water is abstracted from the Vaal River in Balkfontein and from the Sand River in Virginia. The current system in place is insufficient and Sedibeng Water is experiencing problems to reliably provide potable water to the Ventersburg and Henneman region. Therefore the upgrade of the existing service is required to ensure reliable water availability to the region. The proposed project entails the development of a 42km long bulk water supply and reservoir upgrade from Koppie Alleen to Ventersburg near Riebeeckstad, located approximately 160km northeast of Bloemfontein in the Free State Province.

A draft Basic Assessment Report and Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA) were submitted with the application.

Rossouw, L. Phase 1 Archaeological Impact Assessment of a proposed new water pipeline and associated infrastructure between Ventersburg and the Koppie Alleen pump station, FS Province.

The author identified two culturally significant areas in the vicinity of the proposed pipeline route:

1) A large Iron Age complex is located on a koppie about 3.5 km southeast of Phomolong and approximately 200 m north-northeast of the R70 provincial road. It is a highly visible structure that can easily be avoided.

2) An old farmstead area at the Brabant pump station is regarded as of low archaeological significance. It was mapped and photographed by the author.

The author gave both structures a rating of C (Generally Protected), indicating that destruction is recommended. However he added that the large Iron Age complex (1) can easily be avoided.

Ventersburg Bulk Water Supply from Koppie Alleen to Ventersburg

Our Ref:

Enquiries: Ragna Redelstorff Date: Thursday January 19, 2017 Tel: +27 (0)21 202 8651 Page No: 2 Email: [email protected] CaseID: 10510

Interim comment

The SAHRA Archaeology, Palaeontology and Meteorites (APM) Unit has reviewed the AIA and requires that it contain the author’s signature, declaration of independence and date of report.

As the area covers palaeontological sensitive formations from low to highly sensitive a field based Palaeontological Impact Assessment must be conducted and submitted to SAHRA for comments.

SAHRA APM Unit will issue comments when the above detailed requirements have been submitted. Should you have any further queries, please contact the designated official using the case number quoted above in the case header.

Yours faithfully

______Ragna Redelstorff Heritage Officer South African Heritage Resources Agency

______John Gribble Manager: Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage Unit / Acting Manager: Archaeology, Palaeontology and Meteorites Unit South African Heritage Resources Agency

ADMIN:

Ventersburg Bulk Water Supply from Koppie Alleen to Ventersburg

Our Ref:

Enquiries: Ragna Redelstorff Date: Thursday January 19, 2017 Tel: +27 (0)21 202 8651 Page No: 3 Email: [email protected] CaseID: 10510

Direct URL to case: http://www.sahra.org.za/node/384236 (EDTEA, Ref: EMB/9(i)(ii),12(xi),19(i),12(ii),14(xii)/16/35)

Terms & Conditions:

1. This approval does not exonerate the applicant from obtaining local authority approval or any other necessary approval for proposed work. 2. If any heritage resources, including graves or human remains, are encountered they must be reported to SAHRA immediately. 3. SAHRA reserves the right to request additional information as required.