POLOKWANE – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo has laid criminal charges against Polokwane Local Municipality officials for their prolonged failure to provide residents with a reliable water supply.

As the legislated Water Service Authority and Water Service Provider, the DA has accused the municipality of mismanagement, non-compliance and dereliction of duty.

“Section 27 of the Constitution guarantees access to water, while the Water Services Act (Act 108 of 1997) stipulates that no consumer should be without water for more than seven full days per year. However, several areas in Polokwane have faced severe and extended water shortages,” says Lindy Wilson (MPL and DA provincial spokesperson for Coghsta)

Affected areas, among many others, include:

• Ster Park: Receives water only three days a week.
• Kleineberg Street: No water supply for over four years.
• Ladanna: Without water for the past four days.
• Eduan Park, Hospital Park, Moregloed, and the lower section of Bendor Park: Months without water.
• Magazyn, Rissik, and Devenish Streets: Without water for two consecutive days.
• A nursery school near Oosskool: No water for ten days.

“These cases highlight the municipality’s blatant disregard for the Constitution and water service regulations,” Wilson adds.

In 2023, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) released a damning report on water access and the effectiveness of Water Service Authorities in Limpopo.

The report found that the Polokwane Municipality admitted to failing to provide water to all residents within its jurisdiction.

Despite recommendations from the SAHRC, no action has been taken.

“The DA has now escalated the matter legally and we will no longer tolerate the municipality’s failure to fulfill its mandate. Their days of acting with impunity are over,” the party declared.