In response to a formal complaint submitted by Michael Hawthorne, a concerned resident of Kimberley, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) acknowledged receipt of the complaint, dated 28 November 2023, on 19 January 2024. This acknowledgment has reignited scrutiny into the ongoing water supply challenges and potential human rights abuses, focusing attention on the management of the water crisis by the Sol Plaatje Municipality in the Diamond City.
The complaint, submitted on behalf of affected Kimberley residents, alleges continuous interruptions to water supply, raising serious concerns about the violation of basic human rights. The SAHRC, in response to Hawthorne’s complaint, acknowledged the longstanding nature of the water issue and revealed their engagement with the Department of Water and Sanitation as an oversight body.
In a comprehensive response, Hawthorne provided insights into the current state of water affairs in Kimberley. He highlighted the persistence of nightly and daily water interruptions, irregularities in the restoration schedule, and inadequate communication from the municipality. Furthermore, Hawthorne indicated a lack of emergency water supply during major interruptions, adding that many residents were dissatisfied with the municipality’s responses to queries.
The SAHRC in their acknowledgement of the complaint shared the Sol Plaatje Municipality’s Accountability Report, presented before the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature on 18 May 2023, sheds light on the extensive challenges faced by the municipality in addressing water and sanitation issues. The report detailed the background, causes, and enforcement actions taken against the municipality.
According to the report, poor governance, management inefficiencies, dilapidated infrastructure, theft, vandalism, and in-migration have contributed to sewer spillages and water supply challenges. The municipality’s failure to effectively maintain and secure wastewater infrastructure resulted in ongoing spillages into the Kamfers Dam and Platfontein pans.
The report also outlined the effects of above-normal rainfall, with the municipality’s infrastructure ill-prepared to handle the increased flows. The accumulation of water in the pans led to flooding, affecting road infrastructure and posing risks to the community.
The Department of Water and Sanitation’s intervention measures included administrative actions and grant-funded projects for wastewater infrastructure refurbishment. However, despite these efforts, complaints persisted, prompting the SAHRC to further investigate the matter.
The report presented short and long-term funding requirements, indicating the urgent need for repairs, replacements, and upgrades to address the water and sanitation challenges. It outlined specific interventions, their cost implications, and expected durations for implementation.
Short-Term Funding Requirements:
- Repairs at Homevale WWTW:
- Intervention Required: To get the new plant operational
- Cost Implications: R15,000,000.00
- Duration: 12 Months
- Replacement of 965mm section:
- Intervention Required: To replace the dilapidated pipe behind 3SAI
- Cost Implications: R30,000,000.00
- Duration: 9 Months
- Water Pipe Replacements:
- Intervention Required: Installation of pressure reducing valves (Dalham Road, Carrington Road, Broadway Street)
- Cost Implications: R20,000,000.00
- Duration: 12 Months
- Appointment of Security at SPS and WWTW:
- Intervention Required: Installation of security surveillance to prevent further vandalism of infrastructure
- Cost Implications: R15,000,000.00
- Duration: 12 Months
- Riverton WPP Installation of New Cable:
- Intervention Required: To commission the two 10MVA transformers
- Cost Implications: R10,000,000.00
- Duration: 6 Months
- Refurbishment of Filters on the Old and New Plants:
- Intervention Required: To improve efficiency of the filtration at the plant
- Cost Implications: R15,500,000.00
- Duration: 12 Months
- Reclamation Dam:
- Intervention Required: Construction of a reclamation dam at Riverton
- Cost Implications: R10,000,000.00
- Duration: 12 Months
- Repairs at Ritchie WWTW:
- Intervention Required: The plant is out of operation for more than a year
- Cost Implications: R3,000,000.00
- Duration: 9 Months
Medium to Long-Term Funding Requirements:
- Newton Pump Station:
- Intervention Required: Construction of a new pump station at Newton
- Cost Implications: R50,000,000.00
- Duration: 36 Months
- Sewer Pipe Replacement (Kagisho Area at Roodepan):
- Intervention Required: –
- Cost Implications: R50,000,000.00
- Duration: 36 Months
- Bulk Water Supply Line:
- Intervention Required: Construction of a new 1.2m diameter bulk water supply line from Riverton to Kimberley
- Cost Implications: R400,000,000.00
- Duration: 60 Months
- Refurbishing Oval and Round Tower:
- Intervention Required: Increasing abstraction capacity at Riverton
- Cost Implications: R10,000,000.00
- Duration: 24 Months
- Construction of Reservoirs:
- Intervention Required: Construction of bulk storage reservoirs at Carters Ridge, Roodepan, and Galeshewe
- Cost Implications: R120,000,000.00
- Duration: 60 Months
- Upgrading of Riverton & Ritchie WPP (Membrane Technology):
- Intervention Required: To augment purification/production capacity and improve quality of purified water
- Cost Implications: R160,000,000.00
- Duration: 24 Months
The proposed interventions to address Kimberley’s water challenges span a strategic timeline, ranging from urgent repairs and improvements with a short-term focus, totaling R118,500,000 over 6 months to comprehensive, long-term strategies amounting to R790,000,000 or a total combined figure of R908,500,000 over 5 years (60 months). These measures aim to not only address the immediate crisis but also enhance the city’s water infrastructure for sustained effectiveness.
Despite these comprehensive details, concerns arise from unanswered questions about the release of the report to the public and media. The document, dated 18 May 2023, has seemingly not been shared with residents or the media, raising questions about transparency and accountability in addressing the water crisis.
As Kimberley residents continue to grapple with water interruptions, the spotlight remains on the Sol Plaatje Municipality’s ability to effectively manage and resolve the persistent water challenges affecting the community. The SAHRC’s investigation and the unresolved issues surrounding the release of the report add another layer of complexity to the ongoing water crisis in the Diamond City.
Sol Plaatje Municipality’s Accountability Report: 18 May 2023
Addressing Water and Sanitation Challenges Presented to the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature.