POLOKWANE – The Polokwane Municipality is considering legal action over social media posts alleging that four children died from illnesses caused by contaminated municipal water in Seshego, as well as a separate post attributed to an image resembling Mayor John Mpe.

The posts, published by the Facebook page ‘Boy Mamabolo Fans’, have in a press statement been described by the municipality as misleading and unsubstantiated. The municipality says it is exploring legal options over what it considers potentially damaging allegations against the institution and the mayor.

One post features an image resembling Mpe alongside the words, “I hate the people of Seshego. They think they are special!” Another alleges that four children died after consuming contaminated municipal water and urges residents to vote wisely in the November 4 local government elections.

The municipality condemned the posts, saying political campaigning and criticism of public representatives were legitimate, but should not involve claims that could mislead residents or exploit public fears.

The allegations come amid renewed attention to gastroenteritis cases reported in Seshego in December 2025 and concerns raised at the time about a possible link to the municipal water supply.

Health Department findings

In a statement published on January 6, 2026, the Department of Health said no deaths among children linked to gastroenteritis had been recorded at the relevant health facilities.

According to the department, Seshego Hospital treated 122 patients presenting with gastroenteritis symptoms between December 19 and 26. Of these, 26 were admitted and 96 were discharged. Stool samples tested for pathogens, including those associated with cholera, returned negative results.

The department also reported that water from the main municipal sources complied with applicable standards. Temporary challenges associated with heavy rainfall had been identified and addressed as a precaution.

In a response issued the following day, Mpe said preliminary testing had identified high turbidity in a borehole supplying part of Seshego. The municipality subsequently shut down the water system for cleansing and flushing as a precaution and decommissioned the affected borehole.

At the time, health authorities had not established a link between the reported illnesses and municipal water.

The findings reported by the department did not substantiate the Facebook post’s claim that four children had died from waterborne illnesses caused by the municipal supply. They do not, however, establish the current safety of every water source or resolve any subsequent incidents.

Mamabolo distances himself from Facebook page

Approached for comment, Born To Win founder and leader Boy Mamabolo said he did not have a Facebook account and had no control over what people, fans or followers published on social media.

“I do not have a Facebook account unfortunately, and I don’t have a say over what people/fans or winners do on Facebook or any other social media platform,” he said.

Asked whether he condemned the posts if they were misleading or constituted misinformation, Mamabolo did not answer. He said he intended to conduct his own investigation to establish the facts, adding that he could not access the pages since he was not active on the platform.

He said he planned to speak to members at a meeting over the weekend to determine whether they had seen the posts and knew who was behind them.

Mamabolo said his focus was on the upcoming elections.

“But most importantly we are not bothered by what is said on social media, we are very busy with elections and we will oust John and the ANC come November 4,” he said.

Responding to the municipality’s consideration of legal action, Mamabolo dismissed its position as a sign of political pressure ahead of the elections.

“We are not bothered by what the municipality says; those are the last kicks of a dying horse … they are left with only 14 days in office and they are panicking and trying to threaten everyone with court action,” he said.

“They have run out of ideas,” he added.

Asked again whether he believed he had a responsibility to condemn or correct misinformation published in his name, particularly in light of the health department’s January findings, Mamabolo said he would not engage with social media posts.

“I’m not gonna (sic) entertain any social media posts because I’m not in that space … there are thousands of people who are using my images whether in a bad or good way and I’m not even bothered because I’m a public figure,” he said. “The Municipality is crying at a wrong funeral.”

The administrators of the Facebook page were given an opportunity to respond to the allegations and the municipality’s position. In their response, the page admin stated that they were “not interested” in engaging with the publication.

IEC confirms matter is under investigation

The posts have also raised questions about the spread of election-related claims involving public health and municipal service delivery.

Limpopo Electoral Commission (IEC) provincial electoral officer Nkaro Mateta confirmed that the matter had been reported to the commission and was being investigated by its legal team.

Mateta said the Disinformation Code came into effect on August 7 and that transgressions were punishable by law.

The commission’s investigation will be important in determining whether the posts fall foul of the applicable electoral rules. The existence of an investigation does not, in itself, establish that a violation has occurred.

The municipality has called for political engagement to be guided by truth, integrity and accountability, particularly where allegations concern residents’ health and access to safe water.

As the parties prepare for the November 4 elections, the central questions remain whether the claims can be substantiated, who is responsible for publishing them and whether any applicable laws or electoral rules have been breached.