Road map to metro status for Polokwane

Polokwane Municipality’s dream to be declared a metropolitan municipality will go one step further when Municipal Manager Dikgape Makobe presents a detailed road map to the Executive Council during August.
In an exclusive interview, Makobe said that the plan is currently under preparation and confirmed that a dedicated senior official at director’s level will soon be appointed to drive the process towards the municipality’s goal to be reached within the next five years.
In terms of the Municipal Structures Act, a metropolitan municipality is an area that can reasonably be regarded as a conurbation featuring areas of high population density, an intense movement of people, goods and services and has extensive development and multiple business districts and industrial areas.
The area should further be a centre of economic activity with a complex and diverse economy, be a single area for which integrated development planning is desirable and having strong interdependent social and economic linkages between its constituent units.
Makobe explained that one of the first administrative steps to be taken is to determine the area of jurisdiction of the metro. “There is no provision for district and local municipalities within a metropolitan area and the declaration of Polokwane as a metro may involve the disestablishment of other existing structures and a complete redetermination of boundaries. Areas like Mokopane and Lebowakgomo may also be affected,” Makobe said.
Referring to major municipal projects which include the Integrated Rapid Transport System, the replacement of the ageing water reticulation system, the completion of the Regional Waste Water Treatment Works and the upgrading of the Seshego Sewerage Treatment Plant, Makobe indicated that some of the required milestones will soon be a reality.
Makobe also confirmed that the moratorium on densification will be lifted completely by November.
“The only limitation that we had was the availability of enough water to sustain development and that obstacle is something of the past,” Makobe said and explained that the municipality has identified 229 boreholes that can yield 40 to 50 mega litres of water per day.
“The planning of the new Regional Waste Water Treatment Plant is in an advanced stage and construction should start by January next year. Water will be recycled by means of a membrane system similar to the process utilised in Belville in the Western Cape and will provide a further 40 mega litres of water.

Story and photo: BARRY VILJOEN
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