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The DA condemns the way in which the Kimberley water shutdown and its subsequent postponement was handled and we are demanding answers from Sol Plaatje municipality.

The DA’s concerns follows the postponement of the planned five-day water shutdown, only hours before water was intended to be turned off. The reasons put forward by the Mayor include that details of the shutdown were not shared with council and that the Acting Director for Infrastructure also happened to be suspended. The ANC and Good supported the postponement.

The DA abstained from voting because, while we had also not received all the details, we were aware of the financial implications that such a last-minute postponement could have on local businesses and residents. This includes people having made provision for additional water, possibly cancelling appointments or bookings, or even making plans to go away.

The Municipal Manager also stated that everything was ready for the repairs to proceed. Sol Plaatje may therefore have incurred wasteful and fruitless expenditure for accommodation for the “smart-ball” technology team, as well as catering for the teams who would be working throughout the weekend.

Given that the water shutdown was planned well in advance, there should be no valid justification for its 11th hour postponement.

The DA wants to know what financial losses were subsequently incurred by businesses, residents and the municipality. We also want to know how this postponement will affect the time schedule and impact on future funding for infrastructure-related projects. The DA will further demand regular briefings and updates in respect of the rescheduled water shutdown, which has yet to be announced, as another undue postponement must be avoided at all costs.

The city’s water infrastructure is in a critical state and residents of Kimberley can ill afford to experience any more delays in water infrastructure repairs and maintenance.

Issued by Ockert Fourie, Cllr - Sol Plaatje Municipality