POLOKWANE – The residents of Seshego are preparing today for a total shutdown of all types of operations tomorrow.

They plan for no activities to take place as the community protests over a shortage of water, high water bills and blocked electricity prepaid meters.

Residents will head to the Polokwane Municipality to voice their grievances, moving from the filling station at the circle center.

On Monday evening, the community held a meeting, to discuss the details of the shutdown.

During the meeting, community members agreed to suspend all activity including schools, transport, shops and workplaces.

It has been a year since Mayor John Mpe promised them water during a community meeting held on September 2023, but their taps are still dry, they have revealed.

A demand for the reduction of high water bills is also on their agenda.

“Residents can’t redeem their electricity vouchers because the municipality has also blocked their prepaid meters. People are being told that they have to pay thousands of rands before the prepaid meters are unblocked. How can pensioners earning old age grants afford that money? The municipality must scrap the debt so that everyone can start from zero,” community member Vincent Kunutu has said.

Municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala said they have, by the time of publishing, not received any formal communication or application for a protest from Seshego residents, as required by legal procedures.

“We would like to assure the community that Thursday remains a regular business day, and we encourage residents to continue with their day-to-day activities.

The municipality remains open and committed to engaging with residents on any issues they may face through appropriate channels,” he told the Polokwane Review-Observer