The Democratic Alliance (DA) has formally requested Kamiesberg Municipality to convene an urgent oversight visit to the water supply systems serving the communities of Koingnaas and Hondeklip Bay.
Both Koingnaas and Hondeklip Bay get their water from a borehole north of Koingnaas, with the main reservoir situated in Koingnaas. While Koingnaas is not currently suffering from water shortages, some areas of Hondeklip Bay continue to bear the brunt of water failures, with devastating consequences for daily life and local economic activity.
Residents report going without running water for months, forcing them to rely on neighbours just to meet basic hygiene needs such as bathing, washing clothes, and cleaning dishes. In some cases, water pressure is so low that it cannot activate gas geysers, leaving households unable to shower. Others are watching their vegetable gardens and fruit trees die, increasing food insecurity and placing additional financial strain on already vulnerable households.
Local businesses are also suffering. Guesthouse and lodge owners are being forced to ask visitors to drastically limit water usage, reuse water where possible, and avoid flushing toilets unnecessarily. Some have had to close facilities such as swimming pools due to critically low water levels, while others are turning away potential guests altogether due to insufficient water supply. This has resulted in a significant loss of income since as far back as October 2025.
The DA is deeply concerned that ongoing water failures are undermining basic human dignity and crippling local livelihoods and economic sustainability in these communities.
In a letter to municipal management, DA Cllr Toelie Coetzee and I have called for an urgent site inspection and engagement with officials before the end of May 2026 to assess ongoing water service failures and the state of infrastructure. We trust that the criminal case against Municipal Manager Rufus Beukes and Speaker Melvin Cloete, on charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering linked to undelivered water pumps, will accelerate, not delay, critical interventions.
This oversight engagement is critical to identifying the root causes of persistent water challenges, while promoting transparency, accountability, and practical solutions to restore reliable supply.
We will continue to push for urgent intervention and lasting solutions to ensure that residents and businesses in Hondeklip Bay and Koingnaas have access to reliable and dignified water services.