Kimberley - The search for water in Kimberley appears to have taken a criminal twist after three men were arrested for stealing water.
Municipal security and members of the SAPS were on the scene quickly in Cassandra on Wednesday evening, where the occupants of a truck, registered in the Free State, were caught filling JoJo Tanks from a fire hydrant.
While the suspects were taken into custody and appeared in court on Thursday, according to police spokesman, Lieutenant Olebogeng Tawana, the full extent of water theft in Kimberley may not be limited to an isolated incident as another member of the public on Thursday told a similar story.
Herlear resident Mario Marais said that a truck has been making regular late-night stops to pump water from the hydrant in Hercules Street.
He said on Thursday that he was far from happy with the way the Sol Plaatje Municipality had handled the problem, as regular calls to the municipality over the last few weeks did not result in any action taking place.
“I heard about the arrest in Cassandra but I’m still not happy,” Marais said. “This has been going on for nearly two months.
“The same guys come in either a truck with three JoJo tanks or in a tanker and pump water from the hydrant. The problem is that this happens at strange hours. They have kept me awake until after midnight, on occasion.
“My son is in Grade 8 and is busy with his exams. He needs his rest and isn’t able to sleep when they are busy.”
Marais said that the late-night pumping was not only noisy but also impacted on his water pressure.
“One night, at around 10pm, I went to speak to the workers, to complain about the noise. They assured me that they would be finished soon. They left at around 11.45pm.
“On a different occasion, I was told by a guy that he was paying for the water and had permission. This didn’t seem legal so I phoned the police, who never came out. Waterworks didn’t help either. Eventually I got hold of someone from the fire department, who was very helpful and told me that this was illegal.”
Marais added that he had also spotted the same trucks and workers in other parts of the city.
“It seems like they just go from one stop to the next.
“It’s been weeks so I can only imagine how much water they have taken in that time. This is water that we really could have used, especially now with the water crisis.”
Municipal spokesman Sello Matsie said that Wednesday night’s suspects had been arrested for stealing municipal property while their truck had also been seized.
“The suspects claimed to have permission to pump water from the hydrants,” Matsie said. “We have checked with all our senior members and none of them are aware of any arrangements.
“The only person who can actually make that decision is our accounting officer who doesn’t carry any knowledge of the incident.
“We would just like to remind residents that water should only be collected from designated points, and that to open or damage any municipal property is a criminal offence.”
While the water crisis may have brought out some of the worst elements in society, everyday heroes are popping up throughout the city with residents opening their homes to their neighbours in order to ensure that nobody goes thirsty.
Members of the public with mobile water tanks on trailers or other vehicles were able to fill up at the Newton Reservoir, while JoJo tanks were also set up at the Civic Centre to distribute water to the public; small containers only. However, it is the contributions made by random members of the public that has been the real silver lining.
Like several other residents, Celeste Coetzee has decided to share her resources with communities which are struggling to access water. Coetzee said on Thursday that there had been a steady stream of bakkies and trucks arriving at her smallholding in Landbou Road, adding that anyone looking to transport water to the community was welcome to fill their JoJo Tanks from her borehole.
“The local neighbourhood watch has been here a few times to fill their JoJos and take water to people who are struggling to find any,” she Coetzee. “Anyone who wants to help the community is welcome to do the same.
“So far, we haven’t had anyone coming to collect for their households but we have been filling quite a few tanks.
“Our borehole doesn’t work during load shedding. Without electricity, we have no water and the community is always willing to help us. This is our way of returning the favour.”
Coetzee is in good company as social media was full of offers of borehole water being made available to anyone in need.
In Aviva Road a JoJo Tank has been set up for public access, while a borehole in Pollock Street, Cassandra, is also accessible to the public.
Linja van Wyk said on Thursday that AfriForum and Saam Staan Kimberley had been doing what they could to distribute water but reiterated that it was private individuals who were making an impact.
“AfriForum managed three JoJo Tanks while Saam Staan made sure that local old age homes and preschools were catered for. We also delivered water to the police stations to give to the officers on duty,” said Van Wyk.
“It’s been incredible to see people from across Kimberley working together. Among others, Hein Herholdt has made water available to passersby while Hein Visage took the day off today (Thursday) to help get water to everyone.”
DFA