POLOKWANE – Mayor Thembi Nkadimeng, accompanied by DA Councillors, Frank Haas and Franco Marx, Lepelle Water Representative, Willie Fratter, municipal Director of Engineering Services, Nditsheni Sikhauli, and municipal Director of Community Development, Ndavhe Ramakuele, met with more than 300 residents from wards 20, 21, 22 and 23 this week to address their complaints.
In a meeting characterised by residents shaking their heads incredulously, and some voicing their dissatisfaction in no uncertain terms, it soon became clear the municipality only has long-term solutions to restore the water supply to Polokwane to an optimum level.
In response to a barrage of questions posed throughout the almost three-hour long session, Nkadimeng acknowledged old infrastructure (broken pipes), cable theft and the province being a water-scarce area were the main reasons behind the current water situation.
She acknowledged there is no back-up power plan at the water-pumping stations in case of load shedding. And no security either to guard the cables. While Fratter gave quoted figures on water supply and demand, and the current capability of the supplier, Sikhauli explained the upgrading of this facility is an 18-24 month long problem.
Regarding old asbestos pipes, Sikhauli informed the meeting an engineer will start working on certain designs in April as the municipality had to source private funding to speed up the replacement of old pipes. The city currently experiences between seven and 10 burst pipes per day, and the municipality does not have the budget to replace the pipes fast enough.
Another project for which the municipality had to source private funding is the upgrade of the Seshego wastewater treatment plant, to which Anglo Platinum contributed to the tune of R80 million. In response to a question as to why certain neighbourhoods have water at times and others not, Nkadimeng assured those present that it is not a question of “someone flicking a switch to cut off your water supply”. She elaborated on the different sources from where the respective neighbourhoods draw water from.
Several residents were of the opinion the water supply to the city is being withheld to service Mankweng, where billing has led to protests over the last weeks. But suggestions for short-term solutions seem to have come only from ordinary citizens.
One resident suggested the municipality look into the issue of water that is currently in private hands. He said the municipality should do an audit into these owners and, where the water is not used, licences should be withdrawn and the water channelled for household use instead of agricultural use, for example.
Sikhauli said a plan is in progress regarding a “use it or lose it” approach towards those who have been granted water-rights licences. Another suggestion came in terms of how the municipality can restrict water usage, aside from levying surcharges as is currently done.
The municipality should look into the possibility of water shedding, which is similar to what residents have come to know as load shedding, when the demand for electricity surpasses supply, one resident suggested.
Johan Badenhorst, who held the position of Superintendent of Water and Sewage at the municipality from 1971 until 2000, said the issue of poorly maintained infrastructure is heavily underplayed.
“I was among those who installed the valves and pipes the current infrastructure has. There are not enough pressure valves and the infrastructure has reached its lifespan.” Had the municipality done scheduled maintenance, the city would not find itself in the current situation, he added.
Pushed for an answer in terms of when the optimal water supply will be restored, Nkadimeng said residents should allow three to four days. On Wednesday, Haas said the meeting had not gone the way they had hoped and another meeting would be scheduled until residents have answers.
Municipal Spokesperson, Tidimalo Chuene said according to the Mayor, the meeting was a success as it gave her the opportunity to hear what residents of the city need.
