This came after the residents were warned of a three-day scheduled water supply interruption that consequently left the city without water. Some residents allege they have already been without water for at least five days.

The Northern Cape Department of Education’s spokesperson, Geoffrey van der Merwe, explained that the situation at these schools necessitated them to close earlier in order to prevent placing the well-being and health of both the learners and educators at risk.

The province’s premier, Zamani Saul, stated yesterday in a tweet that water will be restored to the city today. He also reassured that a team of technical engineers were holistically set up to work on the bulk infrastructure challenges that the municipality has been facing.

OFM News previously reported that Sello Matsie, spokesperson of the Sol Plaatje Municipality, stated that the delay of water supply was caused by difficulties with installing the new water pipe as a result of the main valve. Also, according to media reports, the dam levels are critically low, which resulted in the Newton reservoirs being almost dry. The municipality stated that in order to maintain levels at the reservoir, pumps were switched off temporarily.

OFM News/Elsabé Richard