Demand Action on Water Outages in Polokwane

Petition richtet sich an: Polokwane Municipality

Dear Ms Nemugumoni,

I'm writing as a resident of Polokwane, Ward 22, on behalf of myself and numerous affected residents in Penina Park, Ivy Park, Flora Park, Ivydale, and the Lower CBD, to formally demand immediate and meaningful action to address the repeated water outages and complete breakdown in communication from the municipality.

Factual Background

• Residents in Penina Park, Ivy Park, Flora Park, Ivydale, and the Lower CBD have suffered frequent and prolonged water outages, with the most recent lasting over 48 hours during the past weekends (20–22 February 2026). 
• These disruptions prevent basic daily activities (cooking, hygiene, sanitation) and pose serious health risks, particularly to children, the elderly, and vulnerable groups such as residents at the APD House (a facility for persons with disabilities in our area), who are left without access to essential services during these outages. 
• In most instances, the municipality has responded to complaints with standard assurances that “a water tanker will be dispatched” — yet no tanker has arrived, and no communication has been provided regarding dispatch times, collection points, or reasons for non-delivery. 
• Reports of outages are routinely acknowledged with a single word (“noted”) or similar generic response, after which no further action or feedback is given. This pattern of empty promises and silence has become the norm. 
• When water is eventually restored, a large bubble of air often surges through the water meters, causing the meters to register usage before any water flows. Residents are thus billed for "air" rather than actual water consumption, adding an unfair financial burden. 
• Mankweng is reportedly consuming approximately 60% of the municipality's water supply (excluding illegal connections), with past write-offs of ~R600 million in debts and arrears still exceeding R300 million. This disproportionate usage contributes to shortages across Polokwane, while other areas bear the consequences. 
• The 2025/26 IDP openly admits city-wide water deficits (10–37 Ml/day), 28% losses (R120 million annually), and sanitation backlogs (48.1% of households). Yet residents continue to receive full monthly bills, including charges for water that is not supplied.

This situation is unsustainable and erodes public trust. Residents feel treated as cash cows — forced to pay rates and service charges for services that are not delivered, with no effective legal avenue to withhold payment (as confirmed by Constitutional Court rulings such as Rademan v Moqhaka Municipality). The municipality’s failure to communicate or deliver promised interim relief (tankers) only deepens this sense of injustice and abandonment.

Legal Basis

• Section 27(1)(b) of the Constitution: Right to sufficient water. 
• Section 152(1) of the Constitution and Section 73 of the Municipal Systems Act: Duty to provide sustainable services and communicate effectively. 
• Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA): Administrative inaction must be lawful, reasonable, and procedurally fair. 
• Water Services Act: Obligation to provide basic water supply and inform consumers of disruptions.

The repeated non-delivery of promised tankers, combined with the lack of any meaningful communication, constitutes a clear breach of these obligations.