Water and stormwater fiasco brewing in Upington: AfriForum demands urgent action

According to AfriForum, the damage caused to the environment as well as business and residential properties in Upington due to blocked stormwater pipes, manholes, and drainage channels now requires urgent action from the Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality. Consequently, the civil rights organisation’s Northern Cape office has submitted six urgent demands to the Municipality in a formal letter, aiming to avert this disaster – which poses serious safety and health risks to the environment and the community.

AfriForum warns that the Municipality’s inability or unwillingness to address extensive water losses and stormwater drainage problems leads to, among other things, the flooding of property; damage to buildings, roads, and other infrastructure; hazardous conditions for motorists and pedestrians; and conditions conducive to the spread of disease.

In its correspondence with the Municipality, AfriForum therefore insists that the Municipality:

• conduct a comprehensive inspection of all stormwater pipes, manholes, and drainage systems in the Upington area;
• implement a regular maintenance and cleaning programme;
• repair blocked or damaged infrastructure;
• strengthen the emergency response plan for instances where main water pipes burst;
• implement an improved communication strategy to keep communities informed about planned maintenance and repairs; and
• conduct risk assessments of areas frequently affected by flooding.

According to Werner Strauss, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the Northern Cape, the extent of water losses in this Municipality is alarming, especially given the area’s water scarcity. The Auditor General’s report indicates that water valued at approximately R21,52 million was lost within the Municipality during the 2023/2024 financial year. This amounts to roughly 50% of all water flowing through the municipality’s pipelines.

Furthermore, the Municipality’s latest available annual report for 2024/2025, released earlier this year, reveals that these water losses pose serious risks. According to the report, “the water network is relatively old and places a serious threat to human life as the pipes are constantly bursting and causing pollution of the pipe network.” The Municipality itself also maintains that the volume of water lost is “unjustifiable too high” due to “poor systems to manage water.” Regarding stormwater drainage issues, the Municipality confirms in the same report that maintaining stormwater lines present challenges due to a “lack of proper tools”, which leads to damage to the road structure.

“The Municipality is clearly aware of the extensive problems regarding water losses and stormwater drainage. Yet, their handling of these issues is completely inadequate. In the meantime, residents and business owners suffer the consequences when water pools in the streets, floods public spaces, or flows into homes and businesses,” explains Strauss.

“The lack of regular maintenance and inspections of stormwater and water infrastructure exposes the community to unnecessary risks. It is the Municipality’s responsibility to ensure that this infrastructure functions properly and that the safety and well-being of residents are protected,” he continues.

Strauss emphasises that, in terms of the Constitution, the Municipal Systems Act, the National Water Act, and the Occupational Health and Safety Act, local authorities are obliged to manage and maintain infrastructure effectively and to limit risks to the public.

“The safety, health, and economic well-being of Upington’s residents must now be prioritised. We trust that the Municipality will handle this matter with the necessary urgency and take concrete steps to prevent further damage and risks,” concludes Strauss.