NIEU-BETHESDA - Residents of Nieu-Bethesda hope that a residents' association will provide them with a collective voice that may carry some more weight with the local authority, Dr Beyers Naude Municipality. A meeting to officially bring such an association to life, will soon be held.

Following the recent flood and hail damage two weeks ago, residents were left without water for a week, and in some instances even longer, as they waited for feedback and action from the municipality. By last week Friday the broken pumps were installed and repaired.

Guest house owner Carla Smit said she got a firm commitment from the municipality that her guest house would have running water by Thursday 21 January and based on this promise she did not cancel the bookings she had that night. Unfortunately the taps in her guest house remained dry and the water flow was only restored the following day. 

"I had to get borehole water from my neighbour that I heated on the stove to provide baths for the guests. I gave them huge discounts and many other treats on the house to make up for the inconvenience. 

"I was told that the two pumps essential for water in my area were have been repaired by on Thursday, but only installed on Friday."

Residents are now banding together to repair roads and provide security after 17:00 as the police station in the village is only manned during office hours, leaving the community vulnerable during the night.

In response to queries about infrastructure repairs following the storm damage, Municipal Spokesperson Ewardine Abader said: "The municipality is aware of the situation in Nieu-Bethesda. All pumps are being installed. The storm water drains are being attended to. Planning is currently underway to make provision in the budget to improve storm water conditions."

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