POLOKWANE – Property developers and builders in the city have expressed growing frustration over the municipality’s failure to supply water meters and make proper connections since the beginning of the year.
This situation is seen as a significant obstacle to development, especially in a city aspiring to be declared a metropolitan local authority soon.
“It is unbelievable that the municipality does not have the competent internal capacity to deal with such a simple matter as the timely procurement of water meters. Someone did not do his job and there should be consequences. It is high time that the mayor cracks the whip and ensure that the officials that are paid by the public are doing their jobs,” a resident remarked.
The resident further highlighted that builders and developers are currently forced to buy and install water meters at their own cost as the only means to obtain an occupation certificate.
“The banks are not willing to release funds before an occupation certificate is available, and it impacts negatively on our cash flow and hampers development,” a local developer added.
Communications and marketing manager of the municipality, Matshidiso Mothapo, acknowledged on Monday that the municipality is aware of the delay in procuring and installing new water meters since the beginning of 2024. As a corrective measure, a service provider has recently been appointed to supply the meters.
Mothapo confirmed that if a building has running water to ensure that the plumbing and drainage system works, an occupation certificate can be issued.
“As a temporary or interim measure, the municipality can internally work on a process to do direct connections to new developments until the meters are installed on those properties,” Mothapo explained.
“The municipality is viewing this with a frown because it is impacting negatively on the city’s developmental objectives. This is a matter that will be dealt with internally to ensure no recurrence in the future,” he concluded. When pressed for timeframes for resolving the situation, Mothapo admitted that there are currently no meters in stock.
“A supplier has been appointed, and the municipality is treating this as an urgent matter,” he assured.
