Knysna’s deepening water crisis needs to be managed properly: DA

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Knysna in the Western Cape says it will ask for provincial government intervention to manage the town’s deepening water crisis.
Knysna is currently facing a drought, exacerbated by water infrastructure problems such as broken pumps, pipe leaks and unmaintained boreholes.
The party says it will request urgent assistance from Local Government MEC Anton Bredell in addressing failures related to pump maintenance and operations.
The municipality is currently headed by an African National Congress (ANC)-led coalition.
The DA’s Knysna Mayoral candidate, Levael Davis, says these failures continue to undermine the town’s water security while residents bear the brunt.
“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. Under a DA-led government, the maintenance, upgrading, and proper management of water systems would be a top priority.”
Meanwhile, the ANC in Knysna says the DA is just trying to score political points.
While acknowledging the pump issues, the party said the municipality is doing everything it can to resolve a contractual issue with regard to the pumps.
ANC regional spokesperson, Moyisi Magalela says, “As soon as those issues are resolved the pumps will be fitted. It’s not an issue of an incompetent government; it’s a contractual issue. The executive mayor has taken serious steps like establishing a war room. What we don’t understand with the DA is for them to call MEC Bredell to intervene. Knysna Municipality is on section 154 support, meaning both province and national are intervening on issues of water.”

www.sabcnews.com, https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/1114457-2/