Say sorry about the rubber bullets and turn on our taps – Polokwane residents blast mayor over water chaos

A community meeting over intermittent water supply in Seshego erupted into chaos on Wednesday as residents demanded an apology from Polokwane mayor Mosema Makoro John Mpe.

The meeting follows a march by more than 1,000 Seshego residents to the centre of Polokwane last month, demanding that Mpe fix their water supply. Residents want a consistent water supply and want the municipality to write off their water bills since their taps are regularly dry.

On Wednesday, residents voiced frustration and anger that the mayor had not made himself available to accept their memorandum of demands on the day they marched. They also demanded that he apologise for the police’s conduct on the day. They say police shot protesters with rubber bullets.

“We cannot allow the mayor to speak before he apologises to the residents,” said Grace Ngwetjana, who explained that she was among the crowd that marched to the municipality.

This led to arguments in the hall between people who were demanding that the mayor apologise and those who wanted Mpe to speak and provide feedback.

Police had to intervene to quell the groups.

Mpe then told residents that water challenges in Seshego are partly due to the service provider, Lepelle Northern Water, hiring incompetent contractors. The water pipes were taken back for the manufacturers to fix, he said.

Residents want a consistent water supply and for the municipality to write off their water bills since their taps are regularly dry. (Photo: Bernard Chiguvare)