Note to editors: Please find attached soundbite by Levael Davis
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Knysna will be writing to the Local Government MEC Anton Bredell to request urgent assistance in addressing failures related to pump maintenance and operation. These failures, caused by the ANC-led Municipality, continue to undermine the town’s water security and residents are bearing the brunt.
Access to water is a fundamental basic need, and we must embrace the Western Cape Government’s expertise to address this critical issue.
While we welcome the recent and much-needed rainfall, it is not enough to resolve our ongoing water crisis.
It is imperative that the municipality has fully functional and well-maintained pump infrastructure to transfer water from our river system to our main dam, ensuring that we can properly capitalise on periods of good rainfall.
Unfortunately, the ANC-led Knysna Municipality has consistently failed to maintain and manage this critical infrastructure. As a result, opportunities to secure water during favourable conditions are being lost, further exacerbating the challenges faced by residents and businesses alike.
The DA is further concerned that the municipality has failed to adequately clean and maintain stormwater drains across Knysna.
This neglect has already resulted in preventable flooding in several areas, causing damage to roads and further strain on already limited municipal resources. Proper, routine maintenance of stormwater infrastructure is essential to mitigate flood risks.
Under a DA-led government, the maintenance, upgrading, and proper management of water systems would be a top priority. So too would the regular cleaning and maintenance of drains, as part of a proactive approach to infrastructure management which is required to protect communities, preserve our road network, and ensure greater resilience against future adverse weather conditions.
In respect of water planning, we have a proven track record in this regard.
It was the DA that upgraded the Charlesford water scheme. This was an investment that significantly strengthened Knysna’s water capacity. Since then, however, the value of this upgrade has been eroded due to neglect by the current administration.
The DA is committed to reversing this decline. We will ensure that Knysna’s water infrastructure is restored, properly maintained, and managed with the urgency and competence it deserves, putting the town back on a path toward long-term water security.
Knysna’s residents deserve better. The DA stands ready to deliver the accountable governance and practical solutions needed to secure our water future.