The Matzikama Municipality has laid charges of deliberate damage to water infrastructure after two Western Cape towns had no water for two weeks.
Also read: Vredendal community slams municipality for water crisis
In September, thieves reportedly damaged and stole water infrastructure that left Vredendal and Vanrhynsdorp dry for nearly a fortnight. According to the Daily Maverick, police have yet to arrest the vandals.
Acting Matzikama Municipal Manager Lionel Phillips said there had been ‘intentional damage to property’ on the community’s potable water infrastructure, resulting in residents ‘being without water for days.’
The peak of the water crisis occurred during the flower season.
Local Government MEC Anton Bredell described the damage to the municipality’s water infrastructure as sabotage.
‘We have also requested that the provincial minister of local government assist the municipality with an investigation into the suspected sabotage of our infrastructure,’ says Phillips.
Explore Cape Town and its surroundings with these incredible deals on cars for under R100 000. Find car listings here.
The provincial local government discussed the issue during the presentation of its 2022/23 annual report to the oversight committee in the Western Cape legislature.
Committee member Cameron Dugmore of the ANC had questioned which Western Cape municipalities faced a water crisis.
In response, Eda Barnard, the chief director of municipal performance monitoring and support, said that the department provided extended support by sending its own engineers to Matzikama to develop plans and assist in correcting challenges with additional funding.
During the 16 October meeting, Department Head Graham Paulse confirmed that the recent water challenge was related to sabotage. ‘They’ve gone and opened two cases at the police station in Matzikama.’
The Daily Maverick also revealed that the Matzikama Municipality faces an investigation by the department during the 2022/23 financial year due to allegations of fraud, maladministration and corruption, as per a document from Bredell’s office to the provincial legislature.
The investigation is ongoing.
Cape {town} Etc discount: Looking for things to do in the city at half the price? Get exclusive offers here.
Also read:
Agriculture loss, infrastructure damage and power outages plague the WC
Picture: Luis Tosta / Unsplash