State of the City: Mpe outlines key infrastructure plans for Polokwane

Quick read

• Polokwane Mayor John Mpe delivered the 2025 State of the City Address on Thursday.

• He announced a R6.4 billion budget, with major allocations to water, roads, electricity, and refuse services.

• Notable achievements include the Seshego Water Plant and upgrades to rural water supply systems.

• Plans are underway to expand the Mankweng Wastewater Treatment Works.

• The ANC welcomed the progress, but EFF and DA voiced dissatisfaction, pointing to stalled projects and inadequate infrastructure.

• Both parties pledged continued oversight on spending and service delivery performance.

• Read the full story below

Full story 

POLOKWANE – The ANC in the Polokwane Municipality has welcomed the progress outlined in Mayor John Mpe’s 2025 State of the City Address, but opposition parties the DA and the EFF remain unconvinced, expressing dissatisfaction with the municipality’s service delivery performance.

Delivered in the city on Thursday, Mpe’s address focused on strides made in improving key services such as water supply, road infrastructure, sanitation and boosting the local economy.

He announced a R6.4b service delivery budget for the upcoming financial year, with key allocations as follows: – Water and sanitation: R370.9m. – Roads and stormwater: R88.7m. – Electricity: R107.6m. – Refuse removal: R36.7m.

The mayor highlighted targeted improvements in Seshego, Mankweng and the city centre, where road conditions have worsened due to limited maintenance.

“These areas are prioritised under our long-term strategy to surface all municipal roads and implement preventative maintenance systems,” said Mpe.

Key water infrastructure developments highlighted include:

1. The commissioning of the Seshego Water Treatment Plant, which now produces up to 8 million litres per day.

2. Water interventions in high-demand areas such as BM Corner and Seshego Zones 2–5.

3. Reliable water supply ensured at Seshego Hospital through strategic upgrades.

4. Completion of rural water projects such as Kalkspruit phase 1, Sebayeng-Dikgale phase 10, and Mars phase 2.

5. Plans to expand the Mankweng Wastewater Treatment Works from 8ML/day to 25ML/day are underway, with infrastructure readiness reports already submitted to the national government.

Despite these updates, EFF Polokwane caucus leader Molatelo Mahladisa, criticised the mayor for failing to address stalled or incomplete projects, including the Mankweng Sports Complex and Polokwane Softball Stadium, which he described as “white elephants” with unaccounted expenditure.

Similarly, DA Polokwane caucus leader, Johan Retters, raised concerns over the city’s rapid population growth outpacing infrastructure development. “While the city grows, roads and water infrastructure continue to fall behind,” Retters said.

Both the EFF and DA pledged to keep a close eye on financial management and service delivery outcomes in the municipality, stressing the need for accountability and real impact on residents’ lives.