A family at Keetmanshoop's Paradise Informal Settlement has blamed the municipality for their house burning down to ashes. They claim that the damage could have been contained had there been water available. 

The fire broke out last Thursday evening after an eight-year-old accidentally set a tablecloth alight while lighting the candle.

The fire left the family with nothing, making it difficult to start over, especially since there is only one breadwinner in the household.

They stated that the fire could have been contained if water had been available in the community tank that night. They explained that the tank is filled only once a day, which is insufficient to meet the needs of the community.

Keetmanshoop Municipality attributed the situation to vandalism of the water infrastructure. "The standpipes are in place; residents should refrain from vandalising them. If this continues, we will be faced with situations where water is only available two times a day. Our department has its own responsibilities, and this is only a temporary measure. We are providing assistance, and we do not want our residents to live without water, as they are our priority."