POLOKWANE MUNICIPALITY BATTLES WATER SCARCITY

The strategic planning session put sustainable water provision on top of its agenda, according to Executive Mayor Cllr. Makoro John Mpe. “We are determined to secure sustainable water supply for our municipality,” he stated.

The strategic planning session put sustainable water provision on top of its agenda, according to Executive Mayor Cllr. Makoro John Mpe. “We are determined to secure sustainable water supply for our municipality,” he stated.

The municipality has embarked on a multi-phased approach to address the pressing water challenges. “In the short term, we’ve harnessed the power of the 4th Industrial Revolution with the completion of the Seshego Water Treatment Plant,” Cllr Mpe explained.

To further bolster the city’s water security, the municipality is prioritizing the completion of the Sandriver project. “This strategic move will provide us with an additional water source for the city area,” Executive Mpe noted.

A significant boost to the water supply for the Seshego community has come from the Department of Water Affairs, which has recently completed an abstraction tower at Seshego Dam. This new infrastructure will provide an
additional water source, alleviating pressure on the existing supply.

Looking ahead, the municipality is advocating for the expedited completion of the De Hoop project. “We believe that the De Hoop project is crucial to meet our long-term water demands,” Executive Mayor emphasized.

However, the municipality faces a formidable enemy: sabotage. “Intentional acts of sabotage, such as the closure of valves and blockage of pipelines, hinder our efforts to provide reliable water supply,” Cllr Mpe lamented.

The municipality is urging the community to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. “By working together, we can overcome these challenges and ensure a sustainable water future for Polokwane,” Cllr Mpe concluded.