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During a community meeting for the city cluster last night by Executive Mayor of Polokwane Local Municipality (PLM) John Mpe, residents clearly indicated their dismay with the drawn-out water crisis.

DA councillors attended the meeting in the crowded Jack Botes Hall only to hear more empty promises from Mayor Mpe.

Despite attempts by an ANC rent-a-crowd to disrupt the meeting, residents were not detracted from speaking the uncomfortable truth and asking  difficult questions. Executive Mayor John Mpe, ironically mentioned that now is not the time for politicking, when it is politics that caused the degeneration of basic services like water supply.

It is the ANC-led administration who, for the past two decades, remain incapable to provide sustainable water supply to all residents and did not act when the DA Caucus in Polokwane warned the council that the demand will exceed the supply of water to Polokwane.

It was disingenuous for Executive Mayor Mpe to solely blame loadshedding and  Lepelle Northern Water for the current crisis

Politics were at play when all the DA’s initiatives to relieve the water shortages were shot down in council including:

A water delivery application, “Polokwane Water”, developed by the DA in Polokwane in conjunction with a local app developer .

To place water tanks in communities, where residents can collect water during the water crisis, is seen as politicking.

A Consequence Management Policy that was developed 15 months ago

Extensive written questions to the Speaker of Council, Wilheminah Modiba, with regards to the water issues of Polokwane, the item has not even served at portfolio level.

Water meters to be installed in Mankweng, where residents are currently receiving free water at the expense of ratepayers.

It is clear that there is no urgency or political will to address the water issues of rate payers and to consider innovative ideas to assist residents of Polokwane.

Executive Mayor Mpe gave a two-week timeline for the implementation of initiatives that will bring relieve to water stricken residents, which we will zealously monitor.

The DA will further escalate this matter to a national level through our Constituency Head, Desiree van der Walt MP, as it is clear that neither PLM nor the provincial administration can address the chronic water shortages.

Residents of Polokwane deserve better.

Issued by Jacques Joubert - DA Caucus Leader- Polokwane Local Municipality