The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on Sol Plaatje Mayor, Martha Bartlett, and MEC of COGHSTA, Bentley Vass, to put petty politicking in Sol Plaatje aside, and to rather focus their attention on urgently addressing the growing Kimberley sewerage crisis that has caused Roodepan police station to partially close its doors.
Sol Plaatje municipality’s decision to turn its back on policing undermines the safety of Roodepan residents, leaving the community more vulnerable to criminal activity and slower emergency response times.
This comes after a worsening sewage spill in Roodepan reached a critical point, with the Roodepan South African Police Service (SAPS) station precinct being flooded and forced to evacuate some of its offices.
The relocation of a part of the station took place yesterday, with staff temporarily moving to the Galeshewe SAPS station. This, after the stench and hygiene risk became too much, with sewage pushing up around the administration block and the Victim Friendly Room. For now, one SAPS vehicle remains stationed at the Community Service Centre to respond to emergencies but if conditions deteriorate, this limited police presence may further be withdrawn.
During past oversight visits to the station precinct earlier this year, the sewage situation was already intolerable. The offices smelled like a sewerage plant, with sewage streaming through the fencing, and out of the drains. Rape victims were also increasingly subjected to an inhumane situation, causing them double trauma.
At the time, the DA requested Sol Plaatje to attend to the spill, to no avail. Repeated attempts by SAPS to seek an intervention from Sol Plaatje also fell on deaf ears. They tried to solve the situation independently but have been unable to do so without cooperation from Sol Plaatje. SAPS was also unable to obtain a reference number for their most recent complaint, due to the ongoing strike.
The DA has submitted a complaint to Mayor Bartlett and MEC Vass, reiterating the need for an urgent intervention. However, the only way to get Kimberley, and the Roodepan SAPS station working again is to vote the ANC out. With voter registration weekend scheduled for 20-21 June 2026, residents have an opportunity to lay the groundwork for change in Kimberley by registering to vote for the DA.