The DA in the Northern Cape has requested the public protector to investigate the excessive loss of potable water at Sol Plaatje Municipality due to water leaks.
THE DA in the Northern Cape has requested the public protector to investigate the excessive loss of potable water at Sol Plaatje Municipality due to water leaks.
DA councillor Chris Whittaker stated that there were almost 50 water leaks that had been left “unattended” despite numerous complaints being lodged at the municipality.
“The auditor-general report for the 2019/20 financial year indicates that 62.3 percent of Sol Plaatje’s total water, which translates into a whopping 23,300,281 cubic metres of water, was unaccounted for. This means that a material water loss of R66.6 million was incurred,” said Whittaker.
He believed that inadequate maintenance, insufficient repairs and neglect of bulk infrastructure were also contributing to water losses.
“At the same time, Sol Plaatje is failing to deliver water to residents in a sustainable manner and to promote a safe and healthy environment. The water leaks are further contributing to the erosion of municipal roads, leaving the municipality at risk of claims for damages from motorists.
“Excessive losses of potable water at Sol Plaatje speak to maladministration, undue delays, acts of negligence and/or omissions by municipal officials that create significant difficulties for residents.”
Whittaker added that complaints of broken valves and water metres and burst pipes dated back to 2011.
“Mechanisms set up by the municipality to resolve service delivery complaints have been exhausted, as many of these complaints have been raised over a period of months or years to no avail.”
