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Tensions in Makgatho, Blouberg, over water supply spiralled out of control on Friday night when a group of disgruntled residents torched ward councillor’s house, a car and other valuables.
This unfortunate, regrettable incident comes a week after Capricorn District Municipality condemned another act of vandalism and criminality when the same group of bandits destroyed water pump engine and its housing last week.
CDM understands that this group uses water supply issues to settle political scores with the ward councillor as they are opposed to him and they made it clear on several occasions and incidents that they don’t want him.
The bone of contention can be traced back to October 2016 when the same group suddently became unhappy with the fact that water to Alldays is being sourced from their community (Makgato) to the extent that they went to court to seek an interdict against this. CDM opposed this interdict on the basis that water is a basic human right and that all sources of water are owned by the State, and not individuals; and that CDM, as the water services authority can in terms of National Water Act, reticulate water from any source and supply it to people.
What is even baffling is the fact that Makgato residents have access to water; and like many villages in the district, water is supplied on interval basis. Suddenly, they demand yard connections with a daily supply of water just because water to Alldays is sourced from their community. CDM finds this unreasonable given the vastness of their village and the capacity of their water scheme dedicated for them. Hence they use water supply challenges to fight political battles at the expense of Alldays residents, who have been without proper water supply for three months now.
It is unfortunate that this disillusioned group has now taken this issue to the extreme end and set fire to ward councillor’s house, a car and some valuables. Cases of arson and malicious damage to property were opened and the police are hot on heels of suspects.
The crisis at ward 15 in Blouberg has seen many meetings being held since Nov 2016 and being led by the Executive Mayor John Mpe. In all these meetings, agreements were reached but instead of implementing these decisions, acts of vandalism and criminality aimed at water infrastructure continued.
CDM condemns these inhumane acts that happened and has got confidence in the police that the criminals will be identified and face the full might of the law.
MO SENYATSI
MEDIA LIAISON OFFICER
CAPRICORN DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY
+27 82 417 2759/ +27 15 294 1245
BBM 2ACB4A1A – Twitter @mo_senyatsi
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