The Garden Route's first interim executive committee writes:
George is facing a water crisis that is no longer distant or manageable through routine restrictions. It is a crisis that threatens households, businesses, livelihoods and the long-term sustainability of our town.
Yet the leaders entrusted with safeguarding our water security have, to date, responded with silence, deflection and administrative non-engagement instead of transparency and accountability.
Since December 2025, Dr Dennis Farrell has submitted detailed, evidence-based questions to the George Municipality and subsequently escalated these matters to Minister Anton Bredell.
These questions were grounded in the municipality's own reports, statutory plans, treasury circulars and audit findings. They were not political, speculative or accusatory. They were governance questions, raised lawfully and in the public interest.
The submissions requested clarity on issues such as:
- non-revenue water remaining at ±30% with no transparent reduction plan
- National Treasury maintenance ratios not being disclosed
- smart meter performance data not being published
- the Water Management Task Team operating without transparency
- alien vegetation on state-owned land remaining unmanaged, reducing water yield
- groundwater monitoring required by the Water Services Development Plan not being reported
- development approvals continuing despite severe water stress
- alternative water supply solutions not progressing.
Instead of answering these questions, the municipality incorrectly labelled the submission as "containing allegations" and declined to identify a single statement it considers such.
It provided no reasons, contrary to the Public Access to Information Act (Paia), and repeatedly instructed that Paia requests be submitted, avoiding public accountability. It ultimately reduced its engagement to a single-sentence acknowledgement.
Minister Bredell's office acknowledged
Dr Farrell's correspondence on two occasions and indicated that a response would follow, but to date, nothing was received.
The acting municipal manager, Bevan Ellman, responded as follows to a query by George Herald:
George Municipality continuously monitors water supply, dam storage levels, rainfall trends, non-revenue water and operational performance.
The municipality participates in regular intergovernmental oversight and co-ordination forums with the Garden Route District Municipality, the Western Cape Government and the Department of Water and Sanitation, to address regional water security and drought risk.
Water restrictions, demand management measures and capital interventions are implemented and adjusted based on verified system data and in accordance with approved Council policies.
Information relating to water planning, infrastructure programmes, maintenance, and long-term supply interventions is reported through formal Council processes, statutory plans (including the Integrated Development Plan and Water Services Development Plan), and intergovernmental reporting mechanisms.
The municipality does not respond to or engage through public debate with third-party advocacy groups. Where requests for information are made, these are dealt with through established statutory processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and consistency.
George Municipality encourages residents to rely on official municipal communications for verified information and to continue using water responsibly.
