The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Northern Cape has written to the Member of the Executive Committee for COGHSTA, Bentley Vass, to reiterate our concerns about the ongoing water challenges experienced by residents of McDougals Bay near Port Nolloth.
Residents of McDougals Bay were left without water from the first week of March, with supply only being restored to the town since 7 April. Official communication from the municipality is sadly lacking, keeping residents in the dark about the reasons behind this shutdown and the measures taken to restore supply. As a result, there’s a real fear that this crisis could reoccur on very short notice.
In addition to creating a health and hygiene crisis for residents, the lack of reliable water undermines the local economy, which is dependent on the fishing and tourism industries.
We’ve reiterated our requests to Vass to assist the municipality in improving its official communication to residents, so that they can know what to expect and how to plan for any shutdown that may affect their lives or livelihoods. We’ve also asked his office to be on standby to assist with the immediate deployment of water tankers if any future shutdown occurs, so that residents can enjoy their constitutional right of access to water.
Ultimately, it is only a caring and competent government that can rescue residents of McDougals Bay from the manmade drought that threatens the survival of their town.