The Kimberley Prospector

KIMBERLEY – More than 1198 residents from Kimberley in the Northern Cape came together on Telegram on Sunday 21 February 2021 to discuss and find solutions to the #KimberleyWaterDisaster.

This follows a nightly shutdown of the water supply to various parts of the city.

No water, no sanitation

Some residents complained on social media that they have not had any water in 7 days. Many more complained of poor water quality posting picture of water similar in colour to raw water from a river or worse.

Concern over water quality

Health issues were also raised as one resident says the water has made his family sick with diarrhoea. Pet owners have also complained on Saam Staan Dienslewering, a Facebook group, their fish has died speculating the water as the cause.

Lack of maintenance or sabotage?

While Sol Plaatje municipality says the water crisis was exacerbated due to alleged sabotage, its residents and an inspection of the Riverton Water Purification Plant indicate otherwise.

Blame points to lack of maintenance and maladministration.

A call for help and solutions

A call for help has been made on anyone, including Gift of the Givers and small businesses, to supply and distribute clean drinking water to residents in affected areas.

Call in the army

According to discussions a lack of skilled workers contributed to the deterioration of the infrastructure.

A suggestion to deploy the Kimberley Army’s Engineering Corps to Riverton was welcomed by members present. This as an emergency measure to apply their engineering knowledge at the water treatment plant to get the infrastructure up and running at full capacity.

Community discussions continued into the night. “This is a good start. Good night”, one members signed off at 20:47.

WATCH! Kimberley residents hold their first virtual community meeting in mass, attracting more than a thousand residents from across the city.

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