The Kimberley Prospector

KIMBERLEY – The Sol Plaatje Municipality’s persistent failure to ensure a reliable water supply has left residents feeling frustrated and disillusioned. The latest update from Thoko Riet, spokesperson for the municipality, provides little solace as it fails to address the concerns of the community.

With a notable absence of transparency and inadequate communication, the municipality’s update on the water supply interruptions raises more questions than answers. While Riet mentions the 23 megaliter and the 91 megaliter reservoirs, conspicuously absent is any mention of the 45 megaliter reservoir. This omission leaves residents speculating that it is still completely empty.

Residents, already sceptical due to past experiences, are further distressed as the municipality relies on outdated manual stick-level meters. These archaic devices are known to be highly unreliable, often getting stuck and displaying inaccurate water levels. It is high time the municipality replaces these unreliable meters with modern digital alternatives.

The mismanagement of the water supply is evident with the unannounced water interruption on Sunday that stretched throughout the day. Despite assurances from NOCCI Kimberley to its business members that the water would be restored by nightfall, it was not until Monday morning after 06:00 that the water reached the lower-lying areas. This delayed response is unacceptable.

Contrary to the municipality’s claims and the repairs that were done, Riet’s media statement indicates that the water supply has not stabilized, with low to no water pressure being reported in many areas by 11:00 on Monday morning. While the municipality has not yet announced day-time water shedding has warned that the water supply could be interrupted during the day. While the continued nightly water interruptions between 21:00 and 04:00 only add to the uncertainty surrounding the water supply. Residents must rely on promises that the water supply would stabilize during the week.

These constant disruptions disproportionately affect vulnerable members of the community, including pensioners and the elderly, exacerbating their already challenging living conditions. The lack of accountability and failure to provide a clear explanation for the ongoing water woes exposes poor and incompetent leadership within the Sol Plaatje Municipality.

As residents continue to be left in the dark about the root causes of the water supply issues, frustration and scepticism grow. The ongoing water interruptions and nightly shutdowns warrant proper justification and prompt action from the municipality.

It is high time the Sol Plaatje Municipality provides the necessary resources and implements effective strategies to ensure a reliable water supply for its residents. The community expects transparency, accountability, and immediate solutions to this critical issue. Anything less will only further erode faith in the leadership’s ability to govern and meet the needs of the people they serve.