The Kimberley Prospector

NEWTON RESERVOIR – Residents of Kimberley are caught in a water crisis that shows no signs of abating. Despite promises from Sol Plaatje Municipality (SPM), the situation in areas supplied by the Newton Reservoir seems to be growing more desperate each day.

Water pressure is shockingly low, leaving residents unable to perform basic chores. “My water dribbled to an end at 9 am this morning,” explained a frustrated Royldene resident. “Cannot use my washing machine, as I think it is already damaged by the low flow.”

In many households, people are having to fill buckets from outside taps for toilet use. Those with geysers face further issues, as there isn’t enough pressure to access hot water. A Klisserville resident reports a recurring, dismal pattern: a few hours of low pressure at best, followed by a return to completely dry taps.

Reporting these faults to the SPM Call Centre is becoming an empty ritual. Many residents are not given reference numbers, leaving a sense that their desperate pleas are going unheard. “They referred me to Waterworks,” a Beaconsfield resident explains, “But that phone just rang unanswered.”

This lack of accountability is fueling despair and anger. One resident bluntly stated, “The municipality is only giving us the absolute minimum water supply allowed by law, and barely even that.”

Crucially, South Africa’s laws guarantee every person 25 liters of clean water daily, within 200 meters of their home. This supply should be reliable enough to ensure no one goes without it for more than seven consecutive days. Currently, residents in Kimberley are struggling to meet the most basic household needs even when some water eventually trickles through the pipes.

The reason for this crisis remains shrouded in mystery. SPM deflects blame with vague statements about undisclosed mechanical faults, ghostly human error, and ageing (unmaintained) infrastructure. This situation stands in stark contrast to 2021, when despite visible leaks across the city, the Newton Reservoir maintained a more acceptable water supply. This suggests current failings lie not only with old infrastructure but with how SPM is managing the Newton Reservoir.

Kimberley residents deserve answers and immediate action, not half-measures and finger-pointing. The lack of reliable water is taking a harsh toll on families and raises uncomfortable questions about the efficiency and commitment of their local government.

Residents Take Action

Meanwhile, Kimberley residents continue to raise concern, with complaints rising to 274 and continuing. Recognizing the severity of the continued situation, The Kimberley Prospector has attached the growing number of complaints to a formal submission to the South African Human Rights Commission.

If you believe your basic right to access to water has been violated fill in the form for submission to the SAHRC.

The community is encouraged to fill out the Kimberley Water Supply Feedback Form, available at https://kby.za.net/i-have-no-water-form, to voice their challenges and contribute to the collective effort for a swifter resolution.

Support Community Journalism: Advocacy for Truth, Your Voice

Simultaneously, The Kimberley Prospector has extended an appeal for support in community journalism. Through the “Prospectors” initiative, residents are urged to subscribe and contribute to shaping the news that matters most to them. This initiative emphasizes the importance of supporting local journalism and underscores that quality reporting comes at a cost.

The call goes beyond subscriptions, encouraging residents to support advertisers and even consider becoming an advertiser themselves for exposure on a national scale. It’s a reminder that a thriving community needs both reliable information and active community engagement.