Earlier today, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Polokwane handed over a memorandum to a member of the mayoral committee, Councillor H Shaikh. Councillor Shaikh accepted our memorandum on behalf of Executive Mayor, John Mpe. (See memorandum and photo here).
For the last number of years, various suburbs in the Polokwane Municipality experienced regular and constant water shortages. In certain instances, the residents were without water for periods of up to 4 weeks.
DA oversight visits and community interactions over the last year revealed that the municipality still have communities who have to walk unsafe and long distances to collect water from streams and rivers. In some areas they have to share this resource with animals.
The DA advised that should the municipality fail to comply with their Constitutional and legislative duties owed to the residents of Polokwane, we reserve our right to approach a competent court for appropriate relief to assist the community of Polokwane.
A candid meeting between the DA representatives and Cllr Shaikh followed during which the DA raised issues:
- That there are current measures to contain and save water which are not being implemented
- Certain areas are using excessive water without any punitive measures taken by the municipality
- An undertaking to respond to our demands and concerns within 14 days
The DA can no longer allow the Polokwane Municipality to ignore their constitutional and other legal obligations to provide constant access to water to all residents and failure to comply will leave us no option but to explore legal remedies to enforce the legislation which the municipality is duty bound to comply.
Where we govern, the DA acknowledges that water is a scarce resource but remains prudently committed that every community has access to reliable, clean, running water, that is safe to drink and to prepare food.
This memorandum is a step in the right direction to solve Polokwane’s long standing water crisis. It is proof that the DA gets things done.