Notable improvement in service delivery in Mokopane

POLOKWANE – In a notable effort to improve infrastructure and service delivery, extensive work has begun on repairing and resealing Van Heerden and Schoeman streets in town.

This development comes in response to a request by Mogalakwena Mayor, Ngoako Taueatsoala, who sought intervention from the Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure, as well as Limpopo Road Agency (RAL).

Taueatsoala emphasised the significance of service delivery, assuring the community of his commitment to providing uninterrupted basic services. “We will do our best to ensure that we provide uninterrupted basic services to the community of Mogalakwena at large,” he said.

He also reminded residents that the programme to improve road surfaces began in 2022, with roads such as Dudu Madisha, Rufus Seakamela, and DT Rampola already being resealed.

During a recent visit, President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his concern over the state of local service delivery after engaging with the community.

“Residents are deeply disappointed in the performance of the local government,” Ramaphosa said. He highlighted issues such as water shortages, unmaintained sewage pipes, sewage spills, illegal dumping, and irregular refuse collection. Additionally, residents reported problems with broken meter boxes, cable theft, high municipal bills, and uneven implementation of the indigent system meant to provide free services.

Taueatsoala acknowledged the president’s concerns and reassured the community of ongoing efforts to address the issues.

“I am confident that our municipality is on the right track in terms of providing basic services,” he said, listing several initiatives, including the implementation and completion of water projects, replacing asbestos pipes with PVC pipes, timely refuse removal, cleaning illegal dumping sites, forest clearing, installing new prepaid meters, and ongoing electrification projects in collaboration with Eskom.

He noted, however, that the municipality is still awaiting the arrival of a blast machine from Mogalakwena Anglo Platinum Mine, as part of a Memorandum SLP agreement.

Looking ahead, Taueatsoala promised that nine more streets would be resealed in the new financial year starting in July, signalling continued commitment to improving the infrastructure and overall service delivery in the region.