BREAKING NEWS – More disruptions at Olifantspoort, city suffers

The Olifantspoort Water Plant is under siege by members of a local community again since yesterday (Thursday) and no water is being pumped, leaving the city’s reservoirs at alarmingly low levels.
Last week the plant was also shut down for two days while another community protested at the plant and allegedly assaulted a worker and took the keys.
Communications and Marketing Manager of Polokwane Municipality, Matshidiso Mothapo said to Polokwane Observer earlier this morning (Friday) that the municipality only received a notification from Lepelle Northern Water (LNW), operator of the plant, that the Olifantspoort Plant is not operating for two days now due to community unrest. Mothapo also stated that all attempts to source further information from LNW, proved futile.
Polokwane Observer made several calls to LNW Spokesperson Simon Mpamonyane’s mobile number, with no success or return of calls. The reception desk at LNW could not locate Mpamonyane for the last two days and confirmed that LNW Chief Executive Officer, Phineas Legodi is out of the province and will only be back next week.
Limpopo Police Spokesperson Moatshe Ngoepe was not aware of any police intervention in the matter at this stage.
Mothapo said that the levels of the city’s reservoirs are below 20% and that the Potgieter Avenue reservoir is empty. “Residents are requested to use water sparingly while the municipality is deploying water tankers where needed,” Mothapo said.

Story: BARRY VILJOEN
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