The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo will request the MEC for COGHSTA, Basikopo Makamu, to issue directives to Mopani District Municipality (MDM) for their clear inability to fulfil the duties as the Water Service Authority (WSA) as well as Water Service Provider (WSP) in the district.
MDM’s longstanding incapacity to provide sufficient access to water to Giyani, Letaba, Ba-Phalaborwa, Tzaneen and Maruleng has now reached crisis levels.
Tzaneen is not capable to expand without compromising residents’ rights to water and sanitation and the Maruleng Council adopted a 12-month moratorium on development in Hoedspruit on 8 October 2025.
One month into the moratorium and there has been no action by MDM.
Since MDM’s establishment in 2003, little has been done by MDM to develop water and sanitation infrastructure for Hoedspruit to separate the town from the water and sanitation infrastructure of the Drakensig Airforce Base.
- In 2008 MDM acquired land for the construction of a waste water treatment plant for Hoedspruit and Kampersrus at an estimated cost of R62 million, which was never commissioned.
- During 2014/2015 a tender for R20 454 000 was awarded to install a 40mm pipe along the R527, but has never been in use.
- After the 2012 floods, an emergency borehole project was completed. Boreholes, a water tank at the municipal offices, a purification plant build into a container and a clean water tank was constructed at a cost of R20 283 450, was tested but never fully commissioned and now it is rusted beyond repair.
- During 2017/2017 the Hoedspruit bulk water project commenced at a cost of R27 012 469, but was never completed.
MDM spent R130 million on projects in Hoedspruit that remain incomplete or not in use.
These are not isolated incidents, the district is strewn with incomplete and dysfunctional water and sanitation projects, indicative that Mopani district is incapable to implement their constitutional mandate.
MEC Makamu is compelled by Section 155(6) of The Constitution to monitor and assist local government.
The DA expects the MEC to assist Mopani District to develop and construct water and sanitation infrastructure for Hoedspruit ,attached to a budget and clear timeframes.