Limpopo is in big trouble if last year’s water problems are not resolved. So, the FF Plus will go out of its way to put pressure on the relevant authorities to supply clean, potable water to the province’s residents.
The FF Plus’s efforts have already resulted in the Human Rights Commission (HRC) intervening in the crisis.
The Vhembe District Municipality was given until 15 January 2024 to resolve its water supply crisis or possibly face legal steps.
Last year’s final Blue Drop Report indicates that Limpopo water authorities are largely failing to provide potable water to the almost 3,4 million people in the province.
Municipalities, such as Thabazimbi, Makhado, Polokwane, Musina, Mogalakwena and Phalaborwa, among others, have been plagued by serious water shortages for years.
The following municipalities performed the worst since the 2014 Blue Drop Report:
Lephalale Local Municipality – from 85,5% (2014) to 48,4% (2023)
Polokwane Local Municipality – from 92,5% (2014) to 56,2% (2023)
Capricorn District Municipality – from 70,9% (2014) to 38,1% (2023)
Limpopo has ten water services authorities and five are not performing as they should. In addition, 26 of the 84 water supply systems are deemed to be in critical condition.
No Blue Drop certificates were awarded in Limpopo as even the best areas’ performance percentage is still 30% below the minimum requirement.
According to the latest report, only two municipalities showed any improvement since the previous report was issued in 2014. They are the Bela-Bela Local Municipality and the Vhembe District Municipality. It is not good enough, though.
In March last year, the FF Plus lodged a complaint about the water crisis with the HRC and filed a criminal case with the police in Louis Trichardt against the Executive Mayor of Vhembe, Mr Dowelani Nenguda, and the acting Municipal Manager, Mr NC Tshikovha.
By August 2023, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) had made an amount of R5 billion available over five years to facilitate water supply in Vhembe.
In addition to direct financial support for infrastructure development, broad integrated development support and institutional capacity will also be offered to Vhembe in partnership with public and private stakeholders.
The party will continue to apply pressure in cooperation with the HRC to ensure that the challenges concerning water supply in the province are addressed.
The people of Limpopo deserve better than the ANC, which obviously lacks the political will to improve service delivery to communities.
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