KIMBERLEY – In a shocking revelation, Sol Plaatje Municipality and a local diamond mining company, Ekapa Mining, have uncovered deliberate acts of sabotage on two major pipelines supplying clean drinking water to Kimberley. The discovery follows collaborative efforts to address the city’s water crisis, with the mining company assisting in identifying and resolving the water wastage issue.
According to a report by Benida Phillips of the DFA, titled “Water Loss Due to Sabotage,” between 30% to 40% of the city’s clean drinking water is being lost due to intentional damage to the pipelines. Jahn Hohne, CEO of Ekapa Mining, disclosed that the mining company assisted the municipality by conducting a drone overfly scanning, revealing 17 major leaks on the pipeline.
“We have identified 17 major leaks on that pipeline. Those leaks are running into the wild veld in and around Kimberley. We have inspected some of the leaks ourselves and found to our absolute horror that those leaks were sabotage leaks,” said Hohne.
Further investigation revealed that the water leaks were deliberately created by individuals using picks and chisels to damage the pipes. The motive behind these acts of sabotage is apparent – to divert water for agricultural activities, primarily watering crops and providing drinking water for livestock.
Hohne emphasized, “The pipes have been tampered with by humans who have cut and struck the pipes open with the use of picks and chisels. This was done in order to let the water leak and flow into the veld to grow the grass to feed the cattle, sheep, and goats.”
The mining company expressed concern over the long-standing nature of these activities, indicating that this sabotage has been ongoing for many years. The impact is significant, with 30% to 40% of processed and filtered water, treated with combinations of flocculants and chlorines, being diverted for unauthorized irrigation.
“We are not here to fix the problem regarding the water as we do not have the facilities and the manpower as we run a treatment plant that requires continued maintenance. Our aim is just to give practical advice on how fast and most economically the municipality and its engineering teams can address the shortfalls of the treatment works,” clarified Hohne.
Sol Plaatje municipal manager Thapelo Matlala pledged a thorough investigation into the alleged acts of sabotage. “If there is criminality taking place, we will have to bring in the law enforcement agencies. Tampering with the water pipeline and municipal infrastructure are serious offences,” said Matlala.
Satellite Image Paints Stark Situation
Satellite images discovered by The Kimberley Prospector on 7 October 2023 reveal the extent of the sabotage, with apparent animal tracks leading to potential water leaks along Kimberley’s primary bulk water line. The findings underscore the urgency of addressing the issue to secure a sustainable water supply for the residents and visitors of Kimberley.
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