‘Long-term fix’ needed for Polokwane water woes - ANC
The ANC in Parliament has called on the University of Limpopo and the Polokwane Municipality to avoid a repeat of the water interruptions at the institution.
The University of Limpopo's Turfloop campus will restart exams on Monday after a temporary halt caused by water supply disruptions.
The ANC Study Group on Water and Sanitation’s Sello Dithebe said the portfolio committee remains concerned that water service authorities and municipalities are not doing enough to ensure access to water.
“We are indeed concerned about this widespread [water supply] crisis. It is important that South Africans understand that, on the one hand, we are a water-scarce country, but we are very much capable in terms of water demand management and conservation to provide water on a long-term basis in a secure manner,” Dithebe said.
Polokwane Mayor Makoro John Mpe said on Sunday that the university's water supply relies heavily on the Ebenezer Dam line, which has faced recurring power outages due to strong winds, floods, and technical issues.
Dithebe has also called on municipalities in Gauteng and Mpumalanga, which owe Rand Water a whopping R7.2 billion, to settle their outstanding debts and make arrangements to pay off their historical debts.
He said this is the only way that the utility would be able to continue providing essential services.
“If we do not play our roles single and collectively, this will lead to a very grave situation for all of us. There is still a lot more that needs to be done,” Dithebe warned.
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