BRIDGING BENCH AND COUNCIL, POLOKWANE MUNICIPALITY AND LIMPOPO HIGH COURT ALIGN TO SECURE PROGRESS
POLOKWANE, 04 November 2024 | Polokwane Municipality led by Executive Mayor Makoro John Mpe and the Limpopo High Court under the astute leadership of Judge President George Phatudi have, in an unmatched convergence of civic ambition, embarked on a mission to intertwine the functions of governance and judiciary in a unique partnership. A quarterly interface was proposed by Executive Mayor Mpe, an initiative eagerly endorsed by Judge President Phatudi to address common goals in the evolving landscape of an expanding Polokwane. The objective is clear: streamline teamwork to advance the municipality’s infrastructure while preserving the operational integrity of Limpopo’s highest court.
Judge President Phatudi reflected on the origins of this strategic dialogue: “It is the Executive Mayor who first envisioned the value of a continuous, structured interface. We create a channel of support that extends beyond administrative formalities by coming together on matters of mutual interest.” Such words stress the seriousness of this endeavour, which is aimed at addressing several shared priorities.
At the heart of this initiative lies Polokwane’s complex water supply issue. Executive Mayor Mpe briefed Judge President Phatudi on Polokwane’s infrastructure challenges: “As the city expands, we are faced with an urgent need to modernize our water infrastructure to meet the demand of a growing population.” The completed Seshego Water Treatment Plant and the forthcoming Sand River Plant embodies the municipality’s obligation to sustainable water solutions. Cllr Mpe added that plans are also in place to revitalize the critical Dap Naude supply line to safeguard consistent water delivery.
These projects, however, are not just numbers in a budget or points on a timeline, they are pivotal to a future where Polokwane can support a population set to double in the coming years. For the Limpopo High Court, these infrastructure developments mean securing a stable environment for the administration of justice. Through this partnership, Polokwane Municipality has pledged technical assistance, committing to periodic assessments that will ensure an uninterrupted water supply to the High Court, with a dedicated team poised to address any emerging issues.
The municipality has committed to ensuring that the High Court remains operational during load-shedding periods. The city will grant the judiciary an exemption from rolling blackouts by establishing a dedicated power line for the court. This is because the municipality understands that the High Court’s continuous function is essential to the public good, safeguarding its ability to uphold justice without interruption.
Central to the collaboration is the installation of an iron tank on the court’s premises, a steel fortress of water that will act as a reservoir to withstand unforeseen disruptions.
Judge President Phatudi and Executive Mayor Mpe have agreed to meet quarterly, with the next session set as a continued effort to build constructive ties and fine-tune their approach. For the citizens of Polokwane, this partnership signals a new era of responsive, interconnected governance, one where civic and judicial leaders walk in step toward a unified goal of societal betterment. This alliance by the municipality and the High Court exemplify a rare vision: moving together, resilient and ready, to ensure that no matter the challenges, the lights of justice and public service remain bright and undiminished.
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