By Olebogeng Molale
Kimberly residents are frustrated with the ongoing water cuts. They held a virtual meeting on 16 April to vent their anger.
According to residents, this problem has been going on for years now where their water is cut off without any notice from the authorities. During the meeting, some members claimed that they have gone for six days without water and were never provided with a water tank.
Kealeboga Moitse, 42, from Vergenoeg in Galeshewe, said it was frustrating that residents had to face water cuts from time to time without getting any notice from the Sol Plaatje municipality. “This is uncalled for. We have been without water for six days and no one is coming forward to explain to us what the problem is when they will restore connection in our area,” lamented Moitse.
Another resident from Club 2000, Kedibone Riet, said some residents went out to fill up in areas that had water. She urged the Sol Plaatje municipality to come up with a backup plan in the future, such as an emergency water stockpile.
“A water tanker was deployed, but can you imagine the ordeal of queuing and then having to carry water home? There are also elderly people who are struggling to get water. This situation is not pleasant at all,” said Riet.
The municipality has blamed the water cuts on an aging pipeline from Riverton to the New-town reservoir in Kimberley. Municipal spokesperson, Sello Matsie, said areas which were affected are: Roodepan, Jacksonville, Lerato and Lethabo Park, Homevale, North View including Greater Number Two because of the damage on the 600mm pipeline. Matsie said the pipeline had to be decommissioned because portions on the line were beyond repair.
“Water tanks will be dispatched to communities until the repair work is complete. The team is also trying to resolve the challenges in Southridge,” said Matsie.
Acting Municipal Manager, Boy Dudlwayo, said, “The issue of water did not start yesterday. I started working for the municipality in 2006 and the issue was already there. We have categorised the water problem in two phases, however we have resulted in building two water pumps. The pipelines are rotten, meaning they need to be replaced. As we are talking the team is busy working. We are working with an old infrastructure, however I guarantee that as of 20 April all areas will have water,” highlighted Dudlwayo.
The municipality further requested the community to refrain from any violent activity as this matter is receiving urgent attention.
Comments are closed.