Polokwane Mayor threatens to take Lepelle Northern Water to court
Polokwane Executive Mayor John Mpe has announced the Municipality’s intention to take legal action and withhold payments to Lepelle Northern Water (LNW), citing its failure to supply sufficient bulk water to the City of Polokwane.
Residents in Polokwane and surrounding areas have been grappling with a prolonged water crisis, leading to growing frustration among communities.
Key water reservoirs across the city remain at critically low levels, despite prior agreements between Polokwane Municipality and LNW aimed at stabilising supply.
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In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Municipality confirmed that the matter has been escalated to Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba and Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina for urgent intervention.
The Municipality further stated that it has formally notified LNW of its dissatisfaction, issuing a letter that constitutes a notice of breach of the existing Service Level Agreement.
“Their (LNW) attitude and lack of commitment leave me with no option but to consider taking legal action and stopping payment to them,” said Mpe.
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“I can no longer continue to watch the suffering of our well-paying residents due to unreliable water supply without consequences. The City is always up to date with its monthly payments but receives unacceptable treatment from the utility.
“The municipality has given the bulk supplier 30 days to remedy the breach, failing which the City will consider appropriate legal and financial recourse in defense of its residents,” he added.
In parallel, the municipality says it has issued a formal letter of dissatisfaction to Lepelle Northern Water, constituting a notice of breach of the existing Service Level Agreement. The letter outlines the persistent failure to provide reliable, predictable and stable bulk water supply to the City.”
