KAI !GARIB MUNICIPALITY RESPONDS TO MEDIA REPORT ON WATER, SANITATION AND MUNICAL SERVICES
Kai !Garib Local Municipality has noted the article published by GroundUp regarding the Municipality’s financial position, water and sanitation infrastructure, and service delivery challenges.
The Municipality acknowledges that residents continue to experience challenges in certain areas and wishes to assure the public that these matters are receiving urgent attention. While some of the issues highlighted in the article accurately reflect existing challenges, it is equally important to provide residents and stakeholders with an update on the interventions currently underway.
Water and Sanitation Infrastructure
The Municipality agrees that a number of its wastewater treatment works require significant upgrades and that the Department of Water and Sanitation’s recent Blue Drop and Green Drop assessments identified areas requiring urgent improvement.
The Municipality has already initiated corrective measures to address the factors affecting its performance, including improving maintenance practices and strengthening operational management at water and wastewater treatment facilities. In line with the Department of Water and Sanitation’s requirements, the Municipality submitted both its Blue Drop and Green Drop Corrective Action Plans at the end of June 2026 and has commenced implementation of these plans.
The Municipality also wishes to highlight that one of the major contributors to water supply interruptions across several communities is the ongoing vandalism of critical water infrastructure. Incidents of theft and damage to pumps, pipelines, electrical equipment and other essential infrastructure have resulted in unplanned outages and delays in restoring water supply. While the Municipality continues to respond to these incidents as quickly as possible, vandalism places an additional financial burden on the Municipality and disrupts the delivery of basic services to residents. The Municipality appeals to communities to protect public infrastructure and report any acts of vandalism or theft to the South African Police Service or the Municipality.
Infrastructure Projects Underway
The Municipality continues to work closely with the Department of Water and Sanitation to improve aging infrastructure and ensure long-term water security.
Current projects include:
- Funding has been secured from the Department of Water and Sanitation for the implementation readiness study of the Kakamas Wastewater Treatment Works upgrade.
- The Kakamas Bulk Water Supply Project is currently at feasibility study stage.
- Construction of the Plangeni Bulk Water Supply Project is progressing well and is expected to be completed in November 2026. In the interim, the Municipality continues to provide water to the Plangeni community through water tankers. Once the project is completed, reliance on water trucking will be significantly reduced.
- The Municipality has successfully upgraded the Cillie and Lutzburg Water Treatment Plants, improving water treatment capacity in these areas.
These projects form part of the Municipality’s broader programme to strengthen water infrastructure and improve service delivery across Kai !Garib.
Electricity Supply
The Municipality also wishes to update residents on the matter relating to Eskom’s previously announced intention to interrupt or reduce the bulk electricity supply.
Following Eskom’s public notice of 23 April 2026, the Municipality immediately engaged its legal representatives to safeguard the interests of residents and ensure continuity of electricity supply.
The Municipality formally requested Eskom to suspend the planned interruption while urgent legal proceedings were being prepared. Eskom acknowledged the request and confirmed, through its media statement of 7 May 2026, that the planned interruption would be suspended pending the outcome of the court process.
The Municipality’s legal representatives have maintained engagement with Eskom’s attorneys and have asserted that any interruption of electricity supply would be inconsistent with existing court orders and constitutional obligations relating to the provision of essential services.
Residents are therefore assured that electricity supply remains uninterrupted while the legal process continues. The Municipality remains committed to reaching a fair, lawful and sustainable resolution with Eskom.
Commitment to Residents:
Kai !Garib Municipality acknowledges the frustrations experienced by residents and recognises that restoring public confidence requires tangible improvements in service delivery.
The Municipality remains committed to strengthening governance, improving financial sustainability, maintaining critical infrastructure and accelerating infrastructure investment in partnership with Provincial Government, National Government and the Department of Water and Sanitation.
Residents are encouraged to continue paying for municipal services, as revenue collection remains essential for maintaining infrastructure, improving service delivery and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Municipality.
The Municipality will continue to provide regular updates through its official communication platforms as progress is made on these interventions.
ENDS
For Media enquiry please contact
The Head of communication
Ms M.A Pienaar
083 281 9113
Email:maryannpienaar236@gmail.com
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