The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Polokwane Municipality has tabled a motion of no confidence in Executive Mayor ,John Mpe, citing the ongoing failure to provide reliable water services and the serious allegations of corruption currently facing his administration.
Polokwane is in the grip of a full-blown water crisis.
Communities across the municipality, including Mankweng, Seshego, the inner city and surrounding villages, are experiencing persistent and often prolonged water outages.
Infrastructure is collapsing and leaks go unrepaired for weeks. Many residents rely on water from sporadic water tanker deliveries, which are surrounded by allegations of mismanagement and politicisation.
Despite repeated promises from the Mayor, no meaningful progress has been made to restore a sustainable and reliable water supply.
Polokwane residents are being denied their constitutional right to access clean and safe water.
To exacerbate the water crisis, the municipality is now embroiled in a corruption scandal involving more than R700 million in alleged irregular tender awards.
Media reports and whistle-blowers’ claims have directly implicated the Executive Mayor and senior officials.
It is further alleged that the Mokoro Foundation, reportedly linked to Mayor Mpe, benefitted financially from municipal contract proceeds.
These allegations are deeply concerning. While the Hawks have launched investigations and raided municipal offices, the Mayor continues to dismiss the matter as a political smear, offering no transparency or accountability to the people he serves.
The residents of Polokwane have lost faith in the ANC-led municipality under the leadership of Mayor Mpe.
The city is failing on its most basic responsibilities, water, waste and roads, while its leadership is increasingly focused on damage control rather than delivering services.
The DA has tabled a motion of no confidence in Mayor Mpe and is calling on all political parties and councillors in the Polokwane Council who care about service delivery and good governance to support the motion.
The residents of Polokwane deserve a mayor who is committed to transparency, delivery and clean governance; not one who is in denial of the water crisis, environmental degradation, and allegations of corruption.