Author: Chantel Edwards

Issued by George Municipality, on behalf of the Office of the Executive Mayor, 27 February 2026

The Executive Mayor, on behalf of Council, would like to clarify the George Municipality’s position following recent misleading and inaccurate public statements and comments about the court case concerning the Municipal Manager.

For the sake of accuracy, at this stage, the Court has not made any ruling on the case or on legal costs. These matters will be decided when the case is heard on the scheduled dates. The matter is accordingly sub judice which means that because the matter is currently before the Court, the Municipality cannot comment further on the details.

Council also reminds all Councillors to follow the Code of Conduct and to communicate responsibly. We call on both Councillors and members of the public to avoid sharing incorrect or misleading information, and to allow the legal process to run its course without interference. George Municipality remains committed to the rule of law and will respect and abide by the Court’s final decision.

MEDIAVERKLARING: Uitvoerende Burgemeester Verduidelik Raad se Standpunt oor Hangende Hofverrigtinge met betrekking tot die Munisipale Bestuurder
Uitgereik deur die George Munisipaliteit, namens die Kantoor van die Uitvoerende Burgemeester, 27 Februarie 2026

Die Uitvoerende Burgemeester, namens die Raad, wil graag die George Munisipaliteit se standpunt verduidelik na aanleiding van onlangse misleidende en onakkurate openbare verklarings en kommentaar oor die hofsaak rakende die Munisipale Bestuurder.

Ter wille van akkuraatheid het die Hof op hierdie stadium geen uitspraak oor die saak of oor regskoste gelewer nie. Hierdie sake sal beslis word wanneer die hofsaak op die geskeduleerde datums aangehoor word. Die saak is gevolglik sub judice, wat beteken dat aangesien die saak tans voor die Hof dien, die Munisipaliteit nie verder kommentaar oor die besonderhede kan lewer nie.

Die Raad herinner ook alle Raadslede om die Gedragskode te volg en verantwoordelik te kommunikeer. Ons doen ’n beroep op Raadslede en lede van die publiek om te verhoed dat verkeerde of misleidende inligting gedeel word, en om die regsproses sonder inmenging te laat verloop. George Munisipaliteit bly verbind tot die oppergesag van die reg en sal die Hof se finale beslissing respekteer en nakom.

George Municipality has extended the implementation of Level 2D Water Demand Management Measures and Level 3 Emergency Water Tariffs to Uniondale and Haarlem with immediate effect from today, 9 January 2026, following critically low raw water availability in both areas as a result of ongoing below-average rainfall. The Haarlem Dam was at 30,45% on 7 January 2026. While these towns were initially excluded from earlier restriction measures, current water supply conditions now require immediate intervention to protect potable water availability and ensure continuity of essential services.

Haarlem Water Supply Situation
The Haarlem Dam, which supplies raw water to the Haarlem Water Treatment Works, has reached critically low levels. Inflows to the treatment works have dropped significantly, resulting in insufficient potable water to meet current demand. This constitutes an emergency situation requiring urgent water demand management measures.

Uniondale Water Supply Situation
Uniondale’s primary source of supply is the Kammanassie River, which is also dependent on rainfall within the same severely impacted catchment. In addition, the Haarlem–Uniondale raw water pipeline, which can normally provide backup supply to Uniondale during periods of shortage, is no longer available due to the low level of the Haarlem Dam. Uniondale is therefore equally vulnerable and subject to the same restrictions.

The implementation of these measures is undertaken in terms of the George Municipality’s Water Services By-law to Limit or Restrict the Use of Water, which allows for immediate restrictions in emergency situations where sufficient water is not available.

With immediate effect, Level 2D Water Demand Management Measures and Level 3 Emergency Water Tariffs, as currently applicable in George, now also apply to Uniondale and Haarlem, including but not limited to:

• Each household shall be limited to a maximum of 10 kL per month;
• Other users, businesses, and the entertainment industries shall reduce consumption by 25% of the average use over a similar six-month period. Failure to comply will result in a fine as published in the annual tariffs list;
• Industries shall reduce consumption by 15% of the average use over a similar six-month period. Failure to comply will result in a fine as published in the annual tariffs list;
• The irrigation or watering of sports fields with potable water is prohibited;
• The filling of any and all swimming pools with potable water is prohibited;
• The use of hoses by private individuals or car wash businesses is prohibited, and vehicles may only be washed using buckets, unless water is supplied from an alternative source other than municipal potable water. This applies to all commercial entities;
• No hosing of structures, roofs, or any other objects is permissible using municipal water;
• Flow-reducing devices shall be installed where the above limits are exceeded. Except for registered indigent households, offenders will be charged for the cost of installation;
• The Municipality will monitor consumers and identify those who do not comply with the restrictions;
• Gardens may only be watered using watering cans or buckets, at any time of day, unless own water and not municipal potable water is used;
• Any person who contravenes these restrictions is guilty of an offence and, upon conviction, is liable to a fine as published in the annual tariffs list or to imprisonment for a period of up to six months;
• Secondary offenders will be liable to an additional fine as published in the annual tariffs list;
• No municipal potable water may be used for construction purposes. Contractors may submit an application to the Directorate: Civil Engineering Services if an alternative non-municipal supply is not available;
• On properties where use is made of own water, such as from a borehole or rainwater tank, a clear notice with the words “OWN WATER” must be displayed on the property.

The Garden Route District Municipality’s Disaster Management Centre has convened a multi-stakeholder task team, including neighbouring affected towns and the Department of Local Government, to coordinate drought response measures across the region.

“These actions are necessary to stabilise water supply systems and protect communities from more severe disruptions,” said Acting Municipal Manager Bevan Ellman. “Uniondale and Haarlem are now facing the same water scarcity pressures as George, and water must be managed carefully across the entire municipal area.”

Residents and businesses in Uniondale and Haarlem are urged to comply fully with the restrictions and to use water sparingly. Further updates will be communicated should conditions change.

“Hierdie stappe is noodsaaklik om watervoorsieningstelsels te stabiliseer en gemeenskappe teen ernstiger ontwrigtings te beskerm,” het die Waarnemende Munisipale Bestuurder, Bevan Ellman, gesê. “Uniondale en Haarlem ervaar nou dieselfde waterskaarste-druk as George, en water moet versigtig oor die hele munisipale gebied bestuur word.”

Inwoners en besighede in Uniondale en Haarlem word dringend versoek om volledig aan die beperkings te voldoen en water spaarsamig te gebruik. Verdere opdaterings sal gekommunikeer word indien toestande verander.