The Kimberley Prospector

As a long-time resident of Kimberley, I find myself perplexed and outraged by recent revelations regarding the city’s water distribution practices. The stark contrast in water availability between certain “privileged” areas and the majority of the city raises serious questions about the municipality’s commitment to equitable resource allocation.

According to reports from a resident in New Park, there seems to be a disturbing pattern of selective water distribution favouring specific suburbs, notably the Kimberley CBD and surrounding areas, since the completion of emergency repairs. While these fortunate neighbourhoods have enjoyed uninterrupted water supply at normal pressure, other parts of the city, including South Ridge, Klisserville, Beaconsfield, and Herlear, have been left parched since Tuesday, 21 November.

The allegation that the municipality is controlling the outflow from Newton Reservoir to provide full pressure to certain areas while neglecting others raises concerns about the possibility of water-shedding tactics being employed. The very idea that some citizens are being subjected to less access to water than others is not only inhumane but also unconstitutional, constituting a blatant violation of basic human rights.

What is particularly distressing is the apparent prioritization of Sol Plaatje University and select suburbs over other educational institutions and residential areas. Students, no matter their location, should not be denied their fundamental right to access water. It is disheartening to think that the basic necessities of life, such as water, are being used as tools of preference in a manner that undermines the principles of fairness and equality to be used as a political weapon for selfish gain or punishment.

The Sol Plaatje Municipality’s recent statement, acknowledging the need to store adequate water for the CBD and surrounding areas, further fuels suspicion that a form of water manipulation is at play. The fact that these areas have been receiving water at full pressure since the completion of repairs, while others are left completely without, demands urgent clarification.

Residents predominantly in wards led by the opposition party, have reported zero water supply, even as they witness water bubbling out of the roads in “prioritized” neighbourhoods. The mysterious control over shutoff valves, enabling the filling of certain dams to supply specific areas, while leaving others critically low, adds weight to the claim that the municipality is intentionally subjecting certain suburbs to water scarcity.

The question that looms large is whether the ward councillors overseeing the inspection at Newton Reservoir were aware of these disparities. If proven true, this orchestrated water inequality is not just an administrative failure but a betrayal of the public’s trust. It necessitates a thorough investigation into the municipality’s practices and a reassessment of its commitment to serving all citizens impartially.

In a time where access to water is essential for public health, economic stability, and the pursuit of education, the municipality’s alleged actions are not justifiable. Kimberley residents deserve transparency, accountability, and an immediate resolution to this water crisis that respects the dignity and rights of every citizen. It’s time for the community to demand answers and hold those responsible for this apparent injustice accountable.

A concerned and thirsty fool in Kimberley.