Dying diggers of Namaqualand need saving
| by Reinette Liebenberg – DA Northern Cape Provincial Spokesperson on Agriculture, Land Reform, Rural Development and Nature Conservation |
| Date: 10 October 2019 |
| Release: Immediate |
| While there remains no end in sight to the ongoing Kimberley water crisis, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Northern Cape has expressed outrage at the fresh water dam currently being filled on what is believed to be municipal property, just outside the city.During an environmental helicopter oversight inspection conducted yesterday, it was revealed that the pipeline that is supposed to pump water to the city, has been vandalised to redirect water from Riverton, into what seems to be a massive fresh water dam on the outskirts of Kimberley.Please see photos here, here and here.Approximately five huge holes have been dug into the main pipeline that runs just outside the military camp in Greenside.From these dams, irrigation channels have further been dug to allow diversion of the water, that seemingly ends up at the new dam, in the veld.All the while, residents from Kimberley have had to deal with dry taps for almost a week already.The DA lays the blame for the current water crisis squarely on the shoulders of Sol Plaatje municipality. They are failing dismally to manage the city’s bulk infrastructure.How is it possible that, to date, they have not checked the pipeline for water leakages?This is unacceptable. The municipality’s excuses will not cut it any longer.We can only wonder for how long this dam has been in existence and for how long the people of Kimberley have been disadvantaged as a direct result of this backyard dam?Sol Plaatje needs to urgently repair the holes in the pipeline and stop the water leakages, that are preventing the Newton Reservoir from reaching acceptable water levels, are and ultimately violating residents of their basic right to water. |
| Media Enquiries |
| Reinette LiebenbergDA Northern Cape Provincial Spokesperson on Agriculture, Land Reform, Rural Development and Nature Conservation071 733 2640 Chrystal LimburghResearcher079 226 0991 |
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