Object to threats of fines

With regard to water restrictions in Ballito, we need to be very clear that the supply of water is the responsibility of KwaDukuza municipality.
Obviously they are not responsible for the drought, but they are responsible for the lack of planning for minimising the effects of the drought. I, as a consumer am not responsible. I strongly object to being threatened with ongoing fines.
However I will do my utmost to save as much water as I possibly can to help KwaDukuza out of a very serious situation, but I will not be criminalised.
My wife and I experienced a similar drought situation in Brisbane, Australia. The local authority did not threaten us with fines but gave us a subsidy to purchase water tanks to help alleviate the problem. It appears from all the frantic posturing from Sembcorp that they are trying to deflect the responsibility away from themselves. (Sembcorp Siza Water is a subsidiary of a company (Sembcorp) listed on the Singapore stock exchange.) I would not like these fines to end up in Singapore.
Keep in mind: The consumers are not responsible!
I fail to understand why in 20 years no mention is being made of desalinisation plants. I know a suggestion to build a desalinisation plant at La Mercy was rejected out of hand by the local residents.
To finally solve this problem the ratepayers of Ballito need to get together and build their own desalinisation plant. Bring on the rejected one from La Mercy. The usual argument is that these plants are too expensive, but what is our alternative?
GEOFF BOTTS
Ballito