LNW and Polokwane Municipality are failing communities – ANC

POLOKWANE – Officials of both Lepelle Northern Water (LNW) and the Polokwane Municipality were swift in receiving a memorandum of demands brought to them through a peaceful march organised by the ANC.

ANC Ward 23 Branch Secretary Mabotse Mothiba reads part of a memorandum of demands to LNW officials. pic.twitter.com/TgWvPfufFU

— Polokwane Observer (@PolokwaneObserv) November 4, 2022

Scores of ANC members from all 49 Polokwane wards moved to the two institutions via Landdros Maré Street from the SABC Park on November 6, with a request for primarily, the uninterrupted provision of clean water.

This, they say, is because there are no solid solutions forthcoming even though some areas have been without water for close to three months.

The municipality insisted that it pays R26m monthly to the bulk water supplier to fulfil its mandate duly, while LNW said it continues to supply the daily expected 59 ML of water daily, despite the ongoing water crisis.

When marchers arrived at the main entrance of LNW, three officials were waiting to welcome them, a suit followed by their counterparts at the Polokwane Municipality where they were accepted by members of the mayoral committee.

LNW board member, Adv Richardt Ramashia, the general manager of corporate services, Elias Moeng and the acting general manager of operations, Lebo Sebola received the memo.

Ramashia remarked that their doors are open for those who have enquiries.

This follows a community protest on October 26 orchestrated by Seshego and city cluster residents which turned violent after the mayor, John Mpe and other municipal officials did not show up to receive a memorandum as they were otherwise committed on the day.

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This, however, has had some questioning the motive for the most recent march, as having been organised by some within the ANC who are pushing a political agenda.

Seshego community leader, George Thembo, questioned how ANC branches would march when the municipality is ANC-led.

“The matter could be easily solved within ANC ranks. This march was pursued for an agenda unbeknown to us. Also, why would they march to Lepelle Northern Water, when we pay the municipality for our services? Something is amiss,” he said.

Commenting, ANC ward 39 branch secretary, Meisie Thulare said the party’s region held an engagement session with stakeholders on September 2, where LNW made commitments to solve the ongoing crisis, but had not done so by Friday.

The ANC Branch Secretary of Ward 39 in Polokwane, Meisie Thulare speaks to the Polokwane Observer outside Lepelle Northern Water where marchers have gathered over the ongoing water crisis. pic.twitter.com/bKpspSrson

— Polokwane Observer (@PolokwaneObserv) November 4, 2022

“The board, in front of Deputy Minister David Mahobo, made a promise to solve the matter and maintain pipelines and reservoirs so uninterrupted water supply could once again be delivered. We are here because we realised that LNW and the Polokwane Municipality are failing the communities,” Thulare told BONUS.

At the municipality, the MMC for water and sanitation, Alfred Moakamedi received the memorandum on Mpe’s behalf. The municipality and the bulk water supplier promised to respond within the expected period of seven work days.