Politics has taken precedence in the management of the Sol Plaatje water crisis, with expert opinions being disregarded by the ANC, who has opted to rather win political favour as opposed to ensuring sustainable water provision to residents of Kimberley.
A finding as presented to councillors, on the Sol Plaatje Municipality Integrated Bulk Water Supply Intervention Plan, raises the alarm that the scheduled date for the Kimberley Water Shutdown of 4 – 8 April, in order to effect repairs on 900 diameter pipeline at Midstation, may be a case of too little, too late.
The gasket, which has been leaking since December 2023, is getting worse by the day as the gasket is abraded due to the high velocity of water through the leak. According to expert opinion, the gasket might not last up to the end of the Easter Weekend and could fail at any moment.
This would inevitably require an unplanned emergency shutdown of the entire water supply to town.
An unplanned shutdown could take up to five days or more, as opposed to a properly planned shutdown, which could reduce the shutdown period to three days.
The DA is disturbed by the decision of the ANC to go against Sol Plaatje municipality’s recommendation to have the shutdown at an earlier date, initially proposed for the 22 – 24 March. Instead, they have risked plunging the city into further water chaos, whereby residents risk not being even afforded the opportunity to make adequate provision to mitigate an unexpected shutdown.
A week ago, the DA requested the Speaker to call an urgent meeting so that we could discuss our concerns in respect of the ANC opting to delay water repairs. The convening of the meeting was delayed, once again emphasising the lack of urgency in dealing with this impending crisis. The meeting was eventually convened on Wednesday, further highlighting the skewed priorities of the ruling party which has allegedly placed political rallies and last-minute Easter music festivals above the rights of all Kimberley residents to a sustainable supply of water.
Given the information available, it would be wise for Kimberley residents not to wait for the scheduled water shutdown of 4 April before gathering water reserves but to rather make early provision, in the event that the gasket does not make it to 4 April.
The DA will submit our further concerns to SAPS in respect of the criminal case, with CAS number: 184.3.2024, that we have opened against Sol Plaatje, for their persistent failure to provide water supply to residents.
We condemn the lack of regard for Kimberley residents by the ANC government and we urge residents to make use of the 29 May election to vote for the Democratic Alliance to rescue provincial and national government from further ANC collapse and further water crises.