Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Thinus Blignaut and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Diphapang Mofokeng. See attached pictures here and here.
The Democratic Alliance will table a motion at the next Nketoana Local Municipality Council meeting regarding the inadequate security of Geluk Dam’s water infrastructure and call for urgent security upgrades to protect this critical municipal asset.
Serious security failures have left the water treatment works and pump houses vulnerable to theft and vandalism, resulting in repeated damage to essential infrastructure, costly repairs and water supply interruptions that leave residents without water for days at a time.
After an oversight visit to Geluk Dam, where Nketoana Local Municipality’s water treatment works and pump houses are situated. The visit revealed serious security failures. The perimeter fence has been damaged, several panels have fallen over or disappeared, and the main gate has been left open, allowing unrestricted access.
The pump house that pumps water from the river to the storage dam has also been vandalised. Its door has been forced open, with no visible security on site. Electrical pumps, control equipment and cabling are exposed, making further theft easy. Nketoana continues to suffer repeated theft of electrical equipment and cables, yet there is little evidence of decisive action to protect this critical infrastructure.
Recently, there has been a significant increase in cable and electrical equipment theft. When these incidents occur, it can take one or two days to replace the stolen infrastructure, leaving communities without water for extended periods. This directly affects residents, businesses and essential services that rely on a consistent water supply.
In addition, the wastewater treatment plant at Reitz near the golf course has been without power cables for the past two years. As a result, untreated sewage flows directly into the river, posing a serious risk to public health and causing ongoing environmental damage.
The DA will continue to monitor the municipality’s response, hold the executive accountable through Council oversight, and push for practical measures to secure critical water infrastructure and safeguard reliable service delivery for residents.