POLOKWANE – Some solar-powered geysers installed in Ext 71 and 75 in Seshego in the last two weeks, are faulty.
The Polokwane Municipality is tasked to monitor and coordinate community enquiries, however, the Energy and Minerals Department is the implementing agent, according to the mayoral committee member for energy provision, Desmond Moloto.
He said he had no knowledge of the geysers that were leaking.
Residents are, however, adamant that they reported their leaking geysers to the municipal offices within two days of installation.
Moloto committed to addressing the issue by doing an assessment of the affected geysers. Meanwhile, municipal spokesperson, Thipa Selala promised that the contractor would return to do repairs.
Departmental spokesperson, Makhosonke Buthelezi, having been on leave until July 19, referred BONUS to other media liaison officers, who had still not responded by the time of going to print.
The geysers form part of a second batch of solar-power panels that have recently been installed in this area.
Moloto conceded that the geysers that were installed in the previous financial year, also leaked.
“The municipality did inform the department and the geysers had been repaired,” he confirmed.
A recipient of the first group of geysers, Morongwa Mamadi, said while they save on electricity costs, they have to go without water for days.
“We are thankful but we wish the municipality would improve their services in that aspect.”
Last week, the Water Department announced it would increase capacity from the Olifantspoort water treatment works from 60 to 120 megalitres per day in order to deliver running water to challenged areas.
The Mayor, John Mpe on July 4 relaunched two previously collapsed waste water management projects in the Soetdoring area.
The outfall sewer project which was already at an advanced stage, was left with 25km to connect the Seshego water treatment plant with the new regional wastewater treatment plant at a cost of around R113m. Mpe said completion is envisaged for next month.
