Seshego residents demand to pay flat rate for water

POLOKWANE – Two officials from the Polokwane Municipality received a memorandum of grievances on behalf of Polokwane Mayor John Mpe from angry Seshego residents on Tuesday morning as a community protest against high water and electricity tariffs and the constant shortage of water went ahead.

Among other issues, residents are unhappy that the municipality is billing indigent households.

Protestors converged at the Seshego Circle Centre at 05:00 and marched peacefully through Nelson Mandela Drive to the municipal offices under the escort of law enforcement officials.

Read more: WATCH: Seshego residents protest over billing issues

This, despite the march having been rendered illegal by the municipality after the organisers did not apply for a permit in time.

The organisers held numerous meetings prior to the march, with various stakeholders – including a Regulation of Gatherings Act 205 of 1993 meeting to regulate public gatherings and demonstrations in certain places and to provide for matters connected therewith, where they failed to secure the go-ahead for a protest.

They subsequently agreed with municipal officials that the march should be halted and Mpe would visit the residents for an engagement meeting today (September 1) to resolve their service queries.

“The mayor will bring a team of councillors and officials from the municipality who will listen to service queries by community members and provide a response and solution on the spot. The working visit is part of the municipality’s new way of attending to and resolving community service challenges,” a community invite statement from the municipality reads. On Tuesday, protestors went about their business peacefully, without disrupting services or schooling in Seshego, as was initially planned.

Residents, however, insisted that Mpe lead the community engagement process.

“When we as the organisers tried to explain the reasons why the protest should be halted for legal procedures and to honour Mpe’s visit, the residents said that the march should go ahead. We have submitted the memorandum of demands and have given them seven days to respond. Failure to do so will result in a total shutdown,” Kunutu told Polokwane Observer.

He said the organisers are glad to have received support from the residents of Luthuli Park, Seshego and extensions.

“The people really showed how serious the complacency by the municipality affected them by joining the march.

“We are happy about the turnout and are glad that they really remained disciplined throughout.”

Municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala told Polokwane Observer that the memorandum was well received.

“The memorandum of grievances was received on behalf of the mayor, by councillor Tshepo Nkwe who is a Member of the Mayoral Committee for finance, and councillor Motlogeleng Moakamedi who is the MMC for water and sanitation. The municipality will respond to the memorandum within seven days,” he said.