When the last major water interruption hit Kimberley at the end of November, The Kimberley Prospector sought answers from the Sol Plaatje Municipality (SPM) about changes made at Newton Reservoir. However, the municipality’s silence on critical questions has left residents grappling with uncertainty regarding their water supply.
Residents from Galeshewe, Roodepan, and other suburbs directly fed by Riverton, not just Rhodesdene, reported normal water pressure during the recent interruptions. Suburbs supplied by Newton Reservoir faced extended water interruptions. Following repairs to major leaks, areas around the Sol Plaajte University experienced normal water pressure, raising concerns about potential changes prioritizing certain parts of New Park and the CBD over other affected suburbs.
What remains unclear is how the outflow from Newton Reservoir is connected to suburban areas, and the SPM has provided no clarification on the changes made at the reservoir. During the extended water interruptions for many areas being supplied by Newton Reservoir, New Park and the area around the Sol Plaatje University had water normal pressure. The lack of transparency and disparity of the water crisis has fueled frustration among residents left in the dark about the future of their water supply.
SPM redirected water from one bulk line to another, claiming to fill Newton Reservoir faster, raising questions about the prioritization of certain areas. Promising residents water from 20:00 to 03:00, the SPM leaves uncertainty about when the water supply will be fully restored for suburbs supplied by Newton Reservoir, anticipating continued interruptions.
The Kimberley Prospector attempted to seek answers from the Democratic Alliance, but the newspaper has been blocked by the entire DANC branch, describing the act as a form of dictatorship hindering unbiased reporting.
Questions regarding the prioritization of water to specific areas, the connection of dams to suburbs, and changes made during recent repairs remain unanswered. Residents are demanding accountability, with some calling for the privatization of municipal services and the resignation of key figures, including Premier Zamani Saul and Mayor Kaghiso Sonyoni.
The water crisis extends beyond immediate concerns, encompassing issues of sabotage, mismanagement, and the violation of residents’ basic human right to water. Alleged inaction by the South African Human Rights Commission adds to citizen frustration, highlighting the need for urgent intervention.
As Kimberley faces a festive season marred by water interruptions, residents express their anger on social media, demanding disciplinary action against officials responsible for the deteriorating water infrastructure. The future remains uncertain for suburbs severely affected by water shortages, emphasizing the pressing need for intervention and transparency from the Sol Plaatje Municipality.
Questions Left Unanswered:
- We would like clarity if any individual dam or dam groupings at Newton Reservoir are being used to prioritize water to certain areas.
- Are dams 1 to 4 feeding directly to the tower and then splits to all the suburbs or are some of the dams isolated to feed certain areas?
- If so can we receive a breakdown of which dams are feeding which suburb or general area?
- or explain simply how the dams are connected to feed the suburbs?
- Has the municipality made any changes to how the dams feed to the areas during the major repairs between 20 and 23 November and what changes were made to the outflow structures?
- Any information on how and when the 4th dam, which was empty for an extended time, has been made operational and put back into service?