The Kimberley Prospector

In a recent public notice issued by the Sol Plaatje Municipality on Tuesday, February 2024, at 08:20, residents of Kimberley were informed about a water interruption affecting the CBD and suburban areas, particularly those supplied by the Newton Reservoir. The statement attributed the disruption to “mechanical faults, amongst other difficulties,” leaving citizens in the dark about the true nature and origin of the problem.

The lack of transparency in the municipality’s communication raises serious concerns among the affected population. While the statement vaguely mentions mechanical faults at the Newton Reservoir, it fails to provide any specific details regarding the nature of these faults or the timeline for their resolution. Residents are left to wonder whether this is a result of poor maintenance, outdated infrastructure, or negligence on the part of the municipality.

Furthermore, the reference to “other difficulties” adds a layer of ambiguity to the situation. What are these other challenges that the Sol Plaatje Municipality is grappling with? Is it a lack of resources, operational inefficiencies, or systemic issues that have been neglected for too long? The residents deserve a clear and honest account of the obstacles hindering the normal functioning of the water supply system.

The statement goes on to mention the municipality’s use of a single pump while their mechanical teams work on restoring additional pumps. This admission raises questions about the municipality’s preparedness to handle such crises. Why does it appear that the municipality was caught off guard by these mechanical faults and other difficulties? Are there contingency plans in place, or is the response reactive rather than proactive?

Adding to the confusion, the announcement highlights a major leak at Midstation near Roodepan, impacting the supply to Newton. The municipality’s failure to promptly address and repair such leaks raises concerns about its ability to maintain and safeguard the water infrastructure.

As residents face supply outages in some areas and low pressure in others, the Sol Plaatje Municipality must provide a more detailed and transparent account of the situation. Kimberley’s citizens deserve to know the root causes of the issues affecting their water supply, and the municipality must take immediate action to address the concerns raised by this critical lack of information. The Sol Plaatje Municipality must prioritize transparency and accountability to regain the trust of the community it serves.

Residents Take Action

Meanwhile, Kimberley residents have amplified their concerns, with complaints rising to 243 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.