Community members in this town have been up in arms over a lack of service delivery and water supply. It is alleged they have been without water for almost a month. On Tuesday, they barricaded the route leading to Upington and every major street with burning tires and rocks. Yesterday a South African Breweries truck was set alight. According to reports, the municipality’s failure to pay its outstanding debt to Sedibeng Water led the water board to cut water supply. Municipal spokesperson, Kamogelo Semaimai, has however refuted these allegations and told OFM News that the water cuts were due to a “technical problem” experienced by Sedibeng and not a failure from the side of the municipality. He confirms the municipality is roughly R14 million indebted to the water board but reiterates they are adhering to their payment plan.

Semaimai, says the Sedibeng Water Board has reassured them about a new water pipe that has been purchased to resolve the water crisis in the town and is certain the situation will remain calm.

Meanwhile, a police spokesperson, Sergio Kock, says the police in the area are still monitoring the situation very closely after the truck was looted and petrol bombed.

He said the truck driver escaped with no injuries and no arrests have yet been made.

A case of malicious damage to property has been opened.

OFM News