Gift of the Givers teams assisting the community of Concordia in Knysna with much-needed water. Knysna is grappling with a major ongoing water crisis.
Image: Gift of the Givers
GIFT of the Givers says its teams on the ground in Knysna will not be deterred from their efforts to bring water to residents despite an attack on one of their vehicles over the weekend.
The team was delivering water to residents in Concordia when their vehicle was hit with a brick and had to rush away from the scene, the organisation’s Mario Ferreira confirmed.
Gift of the Givers has mobilised to respond to the town’s worsening water crisis with water tankers, providing bottled water to clinics, schools, day care centres, social services and businesses.
This comes after the Knysna Municipality activated its Joint Operations Centre (JOC) to coordinate a multi-agency response as thousands of residents in at least nine wards have reportedly been left with no or limited access to water for weeks.
The coordinated response includes support from the provincial government, the Garden Route District Municipality Disaster Management, Knysna SAPS, Fire & Rescue Services, the Knysna Infrastructure Group, and civil organisations such as Gift of the Givers.
Ferreira said they had five teams on the ground, and frustrated residents who had been without water had blockaded some roads.
Gift of the Givers has mobilised to respond to the town’s worsening water crisis with water tankers, providing bottled water to clinics, schools, day care centres, social services and businesses.
Image: Gift of the Givers
He said while a team was handing out water, someone had picked up a brick and aimed it at one of their vehicles.
“The vehicle was hit, fortunately no one was injured. Staff are continuing humanitarian aid in the area,” he said, adding they would not let the incident stop them from helping those in need.
He said he had met with police officials who indicated they would assist with protection to those supplying relief in the area.
Police spokesperson Christopher Spies said: “The matter was brought to the attention of the local police. However, no formal case was opened for criminal investigation.”
The ANC in the province said it noted with deep concern that some of those allegedly involved in the incident may have been supporters of the ANC.
“The ANC in the Western Cape condemns, in the strongest possible terms, any act of violence, intimidation or obstruction of humanitarian work. If any ANC members are found to have participated in this incident or any other criminal act, they will face immediate disciplinary action - including expulsion from the party.”
“Our gratitude goes to Gift of the Givers for stepping in when government has faced challenges.”
In an update yesterday, the Joint Operations Centre the installation of the pump at Charlesford is progressing well.
“This work is critical to restoring consistent water supply to the broader Knysna area.”
And while conditions in Rheenendal had improved, demand remained too high to allow reservoir levels to recover fully.
“The Knysna Municipality, along with SAPS and other law enforcement partners, strongly appeals to residents not to block roads or obstruct water trucks. These actions delay deliveries and negatively impact vulnerable residents, including the elderly and persons with disabilities, who rely on timely access to water. Let’s work together to ensure everyone receives the support they need.”
Cape Times