It has been alleged that the responsible municipality in the area, Sol Plaatje, has refused to repair the water pipe. 

“The municipality said they are responsible for fixing water pipe bursts outside the facility,” said a source who prefers to stay anonymous. It has been explained that the issue has caused the majority of the employees at the centre not to go to work as they believe it is a health hazard for them. The municipality has since said the responsibility to fix the pipe is that of the provincial department of Sport, Art and Culture.

The source says water issues in the area are not foreign to them, as some residents have not had water for days, while some have water but they believe it is not safe for human consumption. It has also been said that water issues come just days after the strike by different provincial departments. 

On Thursday 30 March those who have been on strike met with relevant stakeholders to speak about the issues that they are hoping could be resolved to put the strike to bed.

Residents of the Sol Plaatje Municipality are used to being without water. Recently, residents have woken up to dry taps as a result of a pipe burst. 

The municipal spokesperson, Thoko Riet, explained at the time that the municipality’s water works team has already switched off the water supply to Roodepan as repairs had commenced. The team at the time repaired a pressure valve and water will be restored to the area as soon as all the repairs have been completed. 

Water loss due to ageing infrastructure is one of the issues which have raised eyebrows in various municipalities across South Africa.

At the time of publishing, Riet could not be reached for comment about the latest issue at Mayibuye Dance Academy.

OFM News