Mayor meets with UL and high court to streamline teamwork
The mayor reiterated his commitment to the well-being and safety of all residents and stakeholders in the municipality, promising a unified approach towards lasting solutions.
POLOKWANE – In an unmatched convergence of civic ambition, Polokwane Mayor John Mpe embarked on a mission to intertwine the functions of governance and the judiciary and academia in a unique partnership when he recently met with leaders at the High Court and the university.
This comes after Limpopo High Court Judge President George Phatudi issued an order to shorten court hours and University of Limpopo (UL) principal and vice-chancellor Prof Mahlo Mokgalong temporarily cancelled examinations due to a shortage of water at the high court and UL.
During the tête-à-tête between Mpe and Phatudi, a quarterly interface was proposed by Mpe, an initiative eagerly endorsed by Phatudi to address common goals in the evolving landscape of an expanding Polokwane.
The objective is clear: streamline teamwork to advance the municipality’s infrastructure while preserving the operational integrity of Limpopo’s highest court.
Mpe briefed the judge president on Polokwane’s infrastructure challenges and explained that, as the city expands, the municipality is faced with an urgent need to modernise its water infrastructure to meet the demand of a growing population.
“The completed Seshego Water Treatment Plant and the forthcoming Sand River Plant embodies the municipality’s obligation to sustainable water solutions,” Mpe said and added that plans are also in place to revitalise the critical Dap Naudé supply line to safeguard consistent water delivery.
The municipality has pledged technical assistance, committing to periodic assessments that will ensure an uninterrupted water supply to the high court, with a dedicated team poised to address any emerging issues.
The municipality has committed to ensuring that the high court remains operational during load-shedding periods. The city will grant the judiciary an exemption from rolling blackouts by establishing a dedicated power line for the court and central to the collaboration, is the installation of an iron tank on the court’s premises, a steel fortress of water that will act as a reservoir to withstand unforeseen disruptions.
At UL, the engagement between Mpe, Mokgalong, municipal officials and representatives of Lepelle Northern Water focused on crucial challenges impacting students and staff, with water supply, street lighting and student safety high on the agenda.
With a resolute stance, Mpe emphasised the municipality’s commitment to ensuring the university community has access to essential services, and stressed the urgency of the water supply.
“We have identified illegal water connections in Mankweng, compromising the pipeline meant to serve our residents. It is our responsibility and in our best interest to deliver water to our people. We cannot allow our municipality to fall behind in its commitment to our residents and institutions.”
Mpe acknowledged the need for direct and efficient communication channels with the university and the hospitals to provide immediate updates on any disruptions.
This approach aims to enhance transparency and reduce the impact of unforeseen challenges and to ensure swift action, the mayor announced the formation of a specialised task team to address the water issues specifically.
This task team will engage with the affected university community and work in collaboration with Lepelle Northern Water to devise sustainable solutions.
The mayor reiterated his commitment to the well-being and safety of all residents and stakeholders in the municipality, promising a unified approach towards lasting solutions.
