Polokwane residents question ‘spotless’ city claims

POLOKWANE – Recent remarks reportedly made by senior cabinet, and local senior officials during a visit to Polokwane, have sparked debate among residents.

The high praise, citing Polokwane as a clean and well-maintained city, left some locals questioning the basis for such accolades.

According to municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala, the comments were part of an exchange between visiting officials and Mayor John Mpe.

Selala recounted that the visiting official described Polokwane as “spotless,” while the city’s cleanliness was praised. This endorsement led the municipality to brand Polokwane as “the city of cleanliness”.

Mpe extended gratitude to municipal workers and contractors for their efforts, acknowledging their contribution to maintaining the city. “While we’ve heard criticisms about inefficiency, many of our team members are going above and beyond. They deserve recognition,” he said.

Some residents were, however, less convinced.

One remarked that while some progress is evident, the visit provided a limited view, confined to the route between the airport and a local venue.

“The glowing assessments were based on a short, curated trip that doesn’t reflect the reality for most residents,” the source, who opted to remain anonymous, said.

A brief survey of Polokwane’s CBD and surrounding areas showed several challenges.

Incomplete road markings, allegedly stalled by a shortage of paint, were a visible issue.

Damaged electrical meter boxes, temporarily secured with yellow tape, remain a safety concern.

A local physician noted the dangers, highlighting their potential to harm children and facilitate crime.

A business owner in Bok Street claimed repeated attempts to report an open meter box to the municipality were met with inaction.

“An official told me there are no meter boxes available and there won’t be any until next year,” the owner stated.

Potholes caused by recent storms have worsened conditions on city streets, and residents say the municipality’s response has been slow. “It’s a massive job, but they need to start somewhere,” one resident commented.

Street lighting also remains a pressing issue, with many areas left in darkness. Municipal officials attributed the problem to cable theft but mentioned ongoing efforts to transition to solar-powered lights as a potential solution.

While the municipality’s efforts have drawn some praise, residents said that poor planning and a lack of oversight continue to overshadow progress. “Supervisors need to get back on the streets to ensure work is being done properly,” a resident suggested.

Despite requests, municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala did not provide additional comments.