Breede Valley, Drakenstein refutes #DayZero reports
The Breede Valley and Drakenstein municipalities have denied claims that its taps are running dry.
Gift of the Givers (GOTG) has been asking for donations to help the drought-stricken Western Cape.
In its latest call, GOTG claimed that the Breede Valley, Drakenstein and neighbouring areas have effectively reached Day Zero as its residents have no running water.
But officials and residents say this is simply not true.
Drakenstein deputy mayor, Gert Combrink, slammed the NGO for "creating unnecessary panic", with Breede Valley's deputy mayor John Levendal also strongly denying the claims.
"That is absolute nonsense and you can phone the guesthouse in Drakenstein at this stage, which is the easiest way to find out but we have water," says Combrink.
Jacaranda FM spoke to various schools, restaurants and residents in the areas, all confirming that there is still water.
The Western Cape Local Government spokesperson, James-Brent Styan, criticised Gift of the Givers.
"We don't know where Gift of the Givers' information is coming from but from the Western Cape disaster management centre, which coordinates the drought across the whole province, we are not aware of anything being claimed by Gift of the Givers."
Gift of the Givers' Imtiaz Sooliman has attempted to explain the confusion, claiming another smaller area is currently experiencing Day Zero.
On Tuesday, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Zweli Mkhize declared the water crisis affecting multiple provinces a national state of disaster.