South Africa: Limpopo district seeks R1bn to curb water shortage

Limpopo’s Capricorn District Municipality, which includes Polokwane, requires at least R1 billion to eradicate water shortages.

Executive mayor Lawrence Mapoulo said on Wednesday that of the total 342 838 district households, about 42 098 did not have access to water.

“The municipality relies on boreholes for over 90 percent of its water supply sources,” said Mapoulo.

“Boreholes are not only unreliable, but they are also difficult and expensive to maintain.”

He cited theft of pumping engines and transformers as one of the major challenges. Mapoulo said plans were afoot to install water pipelines from the Nandoni Dam, in the Vhembe district, Flag Boshielo Dam in Sekhukune district and the Glen Alphine Dam in the Waterberg district.

But he emphasised that this required funding.

“Meetings have been held with the national Treasury, and further interactions will continue until the municipality sources funding for such mega projects.”

On governance matters, Mapoulo said his council would improve this year’s qualified audit opinion to clean audit opinion next year. He said the council had appointed two accountants to the positions of chief financial officer and deputy CFO. He said all managers in the council were vetted before being appointed.

Officials were also being subjected to lifestyle audits in an effort to fight corruption.

“In this municipality we don’t tolerate corruption,” he said.

Mapoulo also boasted about an award conferred on his municipality by the British-based NGO Europe Business Assembly. “This is in recognition of our district reputation, effective management, constant growth and tourism attractiveness.”

He would fly to Switzerland in July to receive the award.

Source: IOL News (By Moloko Moloto)

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