POLOKWANE – It is unacceptable that up to this stage, there has not been any action to prove that Polokwane Municipality-hired contractors have started with the installation of smart meters in Mankweng.
Read more: ‘Install smart meters and we’ll pay’ – Mankweng residents
This is the view of the DA, who said the deadline of October 11 was not honoured.
“We had a countdown and hoped that the Mayor, John Mpe would honour the long-term resolution so that residents would stop with the flat-rate method of payment. Polokwane and Seshego residents’ services get cut for non-payment while Mankweng’s debt continuously get written off,” a statement by the party reads.
This to the opposition political party, means residents of Mankweng use as much water and sewer services as they want at a monthly municipal rate of R292.
In a 2016 council resolution, the DA denied the authorisation of the flat rate, adding that all of the city’s 45 wards should be treated equally.
Municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala, however said the installation process has already begun and would continue indefinitely.
He maintained the municipality’s promise to write off all arrears dating as far back as February 2016, on condition that smart meters be installed.
There is, however, a different arrangement for those whose debts accumulated after this date.
“The debt accumulated from March 2016 must be serviced and households can make payment arrangements of up to 24 months with the municipality. The municipality will stick to its resolution to write off this debt for those who install smart meters,” he said.
Even so, the community raised concern about indigent households who cannot afford to pay their debt.
In response to this, the municipality embarked on a campaign to register indigent members of the community on October 12 at the Mankweng Community Hall, who would have a new arrangement discussed with them at a later stage.
