Frustrated residents of Diamond Park in Kimberley are demanding urgent action from the Sol Plaatje Municipality, accusing it of years of empty promises and failure to address chronic sewage overflows that have plagued their community.
The situation has reached a critical point, with raw sewage reportedly overflowing into homes and streets. The stench in the area is described as unbearable, forcing residents to keep their windows closed despite the conditions.
The community’s plight was highlighted in a recent news segment, where a reporter on the ground confirmed the visible sewage spillages and overwhelming smell. The report cited Statistics South Africa, noting that while progress has been made in addressing national sanitation challenges, approximately 26% of the Northern Cape population remains affected.
A resident spokesperson, identified as Mr. Linen, detailed the extent of the ongoing crisis. He stated that the community has been grappling with the sewage problem for eight years. Despite repeatedly taking videos and pictures to the municipality to illustrate the severity of the situation, he claims their complaints have been met with inaction and empty promises.
Mr. Linen specifically referenced a municipal official, Mr. Blessing, who he says promised three months ago that a contractor would be dispatched to fix the main lines and drains. That work, according to Mr. Linen, never materialized. He also pointed to a large broken pipe in the BS Yard, for which he sent video evidence, with no resulting repairs.
The resident identified a malfunctioning pump station as a core cause of the problem, with only one pump currently operational. He called for daily maintenance of the station and for jobs at the facility to be given to members of the Diamond Park community.
This is not the first time the municipality has been alerted to the crisis. The news report confirmed that five months ago, Municipal Manager Tapelo Matala visited the area with a jet truck in an attempt to resolve the issue. However, residents assert that this intervention provided no lasting solution, and the problematic conditions have persisted.
The Sol Plaatje Municipality has been contacted for comment on the residents’ allegations and what concrete steps will be taken to permanently resolve the sanitation emergency in Diamond Park.
