Kimberley residents have ‘had enough of water supply stoppages’

The residents of Kimberley, in the Sol Plaatje Municipality, say they have had enough of water supply stoppages in the city. Angry residents say the fixing of leaking water pipes is an old excuse that the municipality uses not to deliver the basic service.

There are scheduled water supply interruptions from Thursday until Sunday.

Residents of Kimberley and surrounding townships are bracing themselves for another water shutdown. The city’s residents have been subjected to water interruptions for years, and they insist they are frustrated. This is not the first time that the Sol Plaatje Municipality cut the water supply this year.

Residents across the city are scrambling to fill up containers because a deadline for the return of water supply has not been adhered to by the municipality in the past.

The latest shutdown is meant for another overhaul of the infrastructure. These water shutdowns have been an old song. The Sol Plaatje Municipality has never been interested in its residents. Had they been serious, this problem would have long been fixed. Galeshewe, in particular, is suffering more than everybody, because the residents of Galeshewe don’t get proper municipality services,” says one of the residents.

“In May this year, they said the contractor was appointed to fix the same spot that they are fixing now. It’s actually incredible that the municipality is doing this for the past 10 years and no one realises that this could be a money-making scheme,” laments another resident.

“But the other thing; we should remember that since this municipality has been taken over, post-1994, we have never seen an overhaul of piping or an overall maintenance taking place,” notes another resident.

Municipal Spokesperson Sello Matsie says provisions will be made to ensure that residents have access to water.

“The reason is to allow for repairs on major leaks on the pipeline from Riverton, including other sites in the city reticulation. Water tankers will be placed at specific sites across the city, while others will focus on medical institutions such as hospitals. Jojo tanks will be refilled on an ongoing basis across the city. Water points will be at Newton reservoir and the emergency services sites at the civic centre. The municipality regrets this interruption but it is necessary,” says Sello Matsie.

The municipality has promised that the water supply will be restored on Sunday afternoon.

VIDEO: Kimberley residents demand water supply restoration