Residents of Hadison Park are outraged after a burst pipe on Calidon Street was left unrepaired for days, flooding roads with clean water amid ongoing nightly water cuts.
Image: Danie van der Lith
RESIDENTS of Hadison Park have expressed growing frustration and anger towards the Sol Plaatje Municipality after a burst pipe in Calidon Street was left unrepaired for four consecutive days, flooding pavements and roads with clean water while the city continues to suffer under nightly water cuts.
The pipe, which had been gushing water since the beginning of the week, turned parts of the suburb into a soggy, pothole-ridden mess, sparking outrage among residents who say the municipality’s inaction is both negligent and insulting to paying ratepayers.
“This is unacceptable,” said one visibly irritated resident. “We are told that water needs to be conserved, that our water levels are low, and every night we are cut off from 9pm to 4am. But then they let water run down the road like this for days. It makes no sense.”
The resident did not hold back when asked about their perception of the municipality’s ability to manage basic infrastructure.
“The lights are on at Sol Plaatje Municipality, but nobody is home. Look at our pothole-ridden roads; look at how the water is flowing down this street - just look around you. They might be there in flesh, but their hearts have left the building.”
With standing water pooling around the streets and seeping into existing road damage, concerns are growing that the situation will only worsen. According to the resident, the water is accelerating the deterioration of roads in an area already riddled with potholes.
“When the roads are constantly filled with water like this, the potholes just get bigger and bigger and worse and worse,” the resident said. “We have to drive our cars through this mess. Taxpaying residents are expected to accept this sh**. But what can we do? We are being held hostage by an incompetent municipality that has nothing to show for itself.”
The burst pipe, left leaking for over three days, spilled precious clean drinking water into the streets.
Image: Danie van der Lith
While the Sol Plaatje Municipality has announced the upcoming installation of a new pipeline from Riverton to Kimberley - aimed at reducing water losses before the supply reaches the Newton Reservoir - residents argue that the effort means little if issues within the city’s own boundaries are ignored.
“Leaks like these should be just as important,” the resident added. “What’s the point of building a new pipeline if the water just leaks out again once it gets here?”
They went on to say that there appears to be no urgency or accountability within the municipality for small but costly problems such as this.
“The people in charge of leaking pipes should be held accountable. Without accountability, nothing will change, and Kimberley will be left to fall further into disrepair.”
In response to the concerns, Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Thabo Mothibi confirmed that the pipe was eventually attended to on Wednesday afternoon.
“We would like to appeal to residents to ensure that they report [leaks] to the call centre on 080 122 9010 and utilise the reference number in making follow-ups,” Mothibi said.
“The MrLeak app, which will be introduced soon, will make the reporting process seamless and serve as an appropriate platform in holding the municipality accountable in fostering responsiveness.”
While some residents remain sceptical about how quickly and effectively such platforms will be implemented, they agree that any improvement in responsiveness would be welcome - especially if it prevents similar delays in the future.
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