Mankweng residents happy with water meter installation, but…

POLOKWANE – Some residents in Mankweng said they have accepted the replacement of the R292 municipal flat rate with water meters, and expect that the Polokwane Municipality uses some of the profits made to develop the township and surrounding villages.

Scores of locals met Polokwane Mayor John Mpe for an engagement meeting on November 16 at the community hall as part of his efforts to provide updates on issues affecting them.

He has already met with communities in Seshego, Polokwane and Spatial Development Area 1 (SDA1) including non-government and non-profit organisations, development forums, organisations and forums representing communities, churches, public transport, farmers, sports and differently-abled persons, elderly, women and the youth.

The provision of clean drinkable and consistent running water was a priority among Seshego residents on November 9, who expressed dissatisfaction with Mpe having ignored the Seshego and Polokwane Cluster violent protest on October 26.

The installation of water meters is already underway in parts of the area and ahead of that the DA had countered that it was unfair for just Mankweng residents to consume water as much as they wanted at a flat rate of R292 monthly.

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Nelson Ramogale from Mogaladi Park says they requested the municipality to use the profits to fulfil ‘long-overdue promises of solving water problems’.

“The promise of new water scheme infrastructure was made in Thembi Nkadimeng’s time as mayor, but commencement dates were never decided on. Now the money we will be giving to them for water should be added to the budget meant for the water plants,” he told BONUS.

The area has become crime and drug-ridden, among the youth, with a report from young drug abusers during this year’s June 16 peaceful walk against drug abuse citing various reasons for the habit, including that it offers an escape from the stressors of life.

As a result, Ramogale says the expansion of shopping centres and prioritising the local youth when job opportunities are presented will alleviate these prevalent issues.

Mpe said all of the outcries were noted and a fitting response would be given. He said it was worth noting that when the violence erupted, he was in a meeting with Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu, the Lepelle Northern Water Board and Premier Chupu Mathabatha to find amicable solutions to the scarce water provision affecting municipal areas.

“The Department of Water and Sanitation promised to make R120m available to address the short-term interventions for the five groundwater projects that are under construction, further allocation of funding of R200m in January next year can be made available upon the appointment of service providers for Polokwane Wastewater Treatment Works,” he said.

Mpe said contractors in potential projects would be sourced locally.