Polokwane mayor addresses Seshego water concerns
Mayor John Mpe says a borehole was decommissioned as a precaution after water quality tests in Seshego, but health officials found no link to reported illnesses.
POLOKWANE – Executive Mayor Cllr Makoro John Mpe has moved to assure residents and clarify actions taken after recent health and water quality concerns in Seshego.
Addressing the media directly in Seshego on Tuesday (January 6), Mpe stated that leadership required visibility and accountability when public health was in question.
Mpe stresses science over speculation
He emphasised that allegations of water contamination and reported cases of diarrhoea were treated with the utmost seriousness, prompting immediate municipal action.
“Let me be clear from the outset… we acted immediately; not tomorrow, not after pressure, but the moment these concerns were brought to our attention,” Mpe said.
He cautioned against speculation linking health cases directly to the municipal supply, stating conclusions must be based on science and verified facts.
He pointed to the Limpopo Department of Health’s recent statement, which found no link between the reported gastroenteritis cases and the municipal water, and confirmed no child fatalities from waterborne diseases.
Precautionary water system shutdown detailed
Mpe detailed the technical response, stating that preliminary testing identified high turbidity in one borehole supplying part of Seshego. As a precaution, the entire Seshego water system was shut down for cleansing and flushing.
The affected borehole has been decommissioned, with plans to install a package treatment plant. All boreholes feeding the network have been temporarily switched off due to recent rainfall.
“We will not gamble with lives. We will not wait for crises to deepen before we act,” Mpe asserted, confirming that continuous water sampling and monitoring are ongoing in collaboration with health authorities.
He urged residents to remain calm, rely on official information, practise good hygiene, and report any concerns directly to the municipality.
“As your Executive Mayor, I give you this assurance: we are monitoring this situation closely, we are strengthening our systems, and we will continue to communicate openly as verified information becomes available,” Mpe concluded.
