The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Northern Cape is urgently appealing to the premier, Dr Zamani Saul, in conjunction with MEC of COGHSTA, Bentley Vass, to assist in resolving the almost three-week long water crisis in Kamiesberg municipality. This comes after a number of Hondeklip Bay residents have been without water for almost three weeks and counting.
It is believed that water problems started as a result of a broken water pump. The mines were initially blamed for the burnt-out pump and the matter soon escalated into a war of words between the mine and the local municipality, in respect of whose responsibility it is to repair the broken pump.
The pump was apparently repaired a week ago, however, many residents still find themselves without access to water.
The municipality, which has availed a water truck to assist people with water rations, has also remained silent on the matter, leaving residents in the dark about the true extent of the Kamiesberg water issue. In effect, the local economy, which depends largely on tourism, is being negatively affected, as guest houses run dry.
In the meantime, residents are worried about a growing freshwater dam, that has been building up in the vicinity of the solar pumps, near Koingnaas. They are meant to pump the water to the water tanks just outside of Hondeklip Bay. It seems, however, that this is not happening.
Hondeklip Bay is not a stranger to water shortages. On an annual basis, the town, which experiences very hot weather coupled with a high inflow of tourists in December, regularly finds itself without water at this time of the year. Rumour has it that the municipality purposefully turns off the taps at this time, although no communication is ever shared with the local community in respect of this.
The DA is appealing to Saul and Vass to institute an investigation into the water challenges experienced in Hondeklip Bay. If the water issue is not addressed, Hondeklip Bay will turn into a ghost town and further damage the already ailing economy.
This is one of many water crises to rock the Northern Cape over the past couple of weeks, that demand immediate attention by the provincial government.