Marchers block N1 to address the mayor about the water crisis

LIMPOPO – The Polokwane Municipality has clarified that Mayor John Mpe was in a meeting with stakeholders on October 26 in an effort to solve the city’s water crisis, after he was criticised for not being present to receive the Seshego cluster’s memorandum of demands on the same day.

“He had initially requested Premier Chupu Mathabatha to intervene, prompting the meeting between Water and Sanitation Minister Senzi Mchunu, the premier and Mpe,” clarified municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala.

The township’s locals invited Polokwane cluster residents to join in what was meant to be a peaceful march about the steep water shortage, a proposal to reduce the high municipal bills and the introduction of a flat rate.

They were transported from the township’s main Nelson Mandela Circle with Seshego Polokwane Taxi Association taxis to SABC Park and marched to the Polokwane Municipality’s main entrance with the demand that the mayor attends to their demands.

Mpe’s unavailability caused a stir when leaders of the march, including former EFF provincial bigwig Jossey Buthane advised impatient residents to block the N1.

“He chose his meetings over us and we’ll force him to address our challenges,” Buthane said at the time.

There were also reports that Mpe could not address residents due to health ailments, which he denied.

“There was no way a person who requested a meeting could get out of it, as all these stakeholder took the time to assist the city in solving the water issues. It was important that I make the needed presentations,” Mpe mentioned on the municipality’s social media platform on October 27.

Near the N1 circle, police used rubber bullets to disperse protesters.

“The MEC issued a directive to the police to ensure that the perpetrators be brought to book because these acts have the potential to spill over to other parts of the country,” Transport and Community Safety spokesperson Tidimalo Chuene remarked.

Police confirmed that one person was rushed to hospital after being run over by a public order vehicle.

One local activist voiced her motivation for being part of the protest.

“Blocking a national road is a good idea as President Cyril Ramaphosa will see how desperate Polokwane is for water and Mpe’s irresponsible response to us, his people,” said Divine Phofu.

Areas supplied by the municipality have been without running water for months now, causing a stench.

George Thembo, one of those who addressed the crowd at the event, said the CBD was supposed to be operating, except for businesses in Landdros Maré Street.

The CBD was brought to a standstill on the day, mostly out of fear of looting.

Shops closed while some marchers forcefully packed up hawkers’ belongings who had defied the advice that the city should not be operational.