Polokwane mayor meets with residents over services
It became clear during the engagement that the city's water crisis was the main concern for residents.
POLOKWANE – In an effort to enhance service delivery in the city and in particular in Ward 21, Polokwane Mayor John Mpe met with residents at the Lutheran Church in Ster Park on Friday afternoon.
Mpe was accompanied by council speaker Welhemina Modiba, member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for water and sanitation, Alfred Mokoamedi, municipal manager Thuso Nemugumoni, other MMCs and directors of departments.
Early during the engagement, it became clear the city’s water crisis was the main concern for residents.
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DA Ward 21 councillor Johan Retters opened the discussion by stating that Moregloed had had no water for 22 months, the Kleinenberg Street area for eight years and Bendor Village for 11 months.
“Oos Street has had no consistent supply for four years and Silverkruin has been struggling for 10 years, while 60% of the water from Ebenezer is directed to non-taxpayers in Mankweng, Retters said and added that this has been reported through ward committee meetings, community meetings, council as well as a resolution in the portfolio committees since 2022. Inspections by the MMC took place and no report has been received as yet,” Retters said.
The feedback from the community to the Mayor was compressive and thorough and every water challenge that Ward 21 had experienced over the past 10 years was mentioned and taken note of by the executive administration.
Residents also stated their concerns regarding faulty streetlights, potholes, crime and drugs in particular, parks and trees. Mpe assured that the administration will attend to these matters.
The mayor also provided feedback that the City of Polokwane is still in a deficit of 40 mega litre of water per day.
“There are various water projects that are near completion with the first the Sand River North that will give additional 18Ml to the city by April 2025,” Mpe said.
No specifics were discussed in attending to the water problems within the areas mentioned “but the MMC of water and sanitation will attend to this matter in conjunction with the director and myself,” Retters said.
“There is water coming in but there is a problem with the distribution on the ring feed. There has been progress on certain areas,” he explained.
Mpe also introduced a new Polokwane Service Delivery App for smartphones that will be introduced before the end of 2024. This will streamline all reported service delivery matters with reference numbers and follow up progress on reported issues. The use, progress and distribution of water trucks will also be working through this application, which is already in its testing phase.
In conclusion, Retters said he is overjoyed that the highest authority of the municipality attended the meeting and that the mayor and his administration took ownership and accountability for the service delivery issues within Ward 21.
“Now they know what we know!” Retters concluded.
