Service delivery failures in Polokwane spark anger among residents
Polokwane residents voice frustration over failing roads, streetlights, and water supply, while the municipality promises long-delayed repairs.
POLOKWANE – The standard of service delivery in most wards of Polokwane Municipality, particularly ward 23, is a source of growing frustration among residents.
According to the DA councillor for the ward, gravel roads in Soetdorings/Doornbult have not been graded for the past two years.
Read more: Polokwane Muni faces backlash over road maintenance in Soetdorings
“The rain during the first part of January turned these roads into rivers, destroying large sections. Some residents were stranded and unable to get to work for days. People spent thousands of rands repairing sections of road just to reach their workplaces again,” Lourens stated.
He added that one farmer’s house and flat were flooded after rainwater from the road flowed toward the Sand River.
Lourens confirmed that he escalated complaints to the relevant heads of department, but to no avail.
He noted that the situation with gravel roads in Disteneng/Extension 78A is much the same. Bushes have not been cut back, and building rubble and rubbish remain uncollected in the streets.
“Most streets in Ladanna are still pitch dark, despite detailed reports – with photos and street names – submitted since 2021 about non-functioning streetlights. The same applies to the Bendor area around the Full Gospel Church, where streetlights remain out of order. Permanent running water in some areas, particularly at Eskol Villas, is another ongoing crisis,” Lourens explained.
“Grass in open fields in Annadale and Ladanna is left uncut year after year. Criminals use the overgrown grass to hide, rob people, and escape after house break-ins. Programmes announced by officials to repair streetlights have not materialised. I escalated the matter to the mayor, but have received no feedback. The same applies to the city manager – neither responds to reports of poor service delivery or corruption. It is clear that there is a huge lack of service delivery to residents in Polokwane Municipality,” Lourens concluded.
The municipality was asked to comment.
After weeks, spokesperson Thipa Selala confirmed only that “the matter is receiving the necessary attention”.
He explained that the grader allocated to the city cluster had broken down but was undergoing repairs: “We anticipate it will be back in operation soon. We are fully aware of the challenge and remain committed to assisting the community, as previously discussed during our engagements with them.”
