POLOKWANE – Residents of Extension 76 unleashed their frustration over lack of water supply by smashing bottles, burning tires, and blocking the Matlala Road with rocks on Wednesday night (September 14).
Residents told the Polokwane Observer that they have been without water for almost a month and lambasted the municipality for not keeping their word regarding the agreement reached on September 1.
“The water we do receive from water tankers is dirty and we don’t know where it is collected from,” a resident said.
The community said they are tired of empty promises made by the municipality and demand that the taps installed in their homes be used for its intended purpose.
“We no longer want to be addressed by the municipality and be fed lies, we want running water in our taps and basic service delivery from the Polokwane Municipality,” another resident said.
Municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala said the city’s water issues are due to ailing infrastructure at Lepelle Northern Water (LNW).
“There is nothing the municipality can do if communities turn away water trucks or block them from delivering water. The water shortage situation is affecting almost every area within the municipality’s jurisdiction. We do not have a choice but to provide temporary relief through water tankers,” he said.
In the latest update on the status of water supply to the city, LNW said although water supply had been reinstated at full capacity, it appears not all reservoirs in the in the city are filling up.
As a result, LNW has requested the closing of valves at times of low consumption for all reservoirs in the city to fill up and all residents to receive water.
“There is currently flow to Polokwane and we hope with time that the situation will change for the better,” he said.
