Latest news with #Selala
The Citizen
2 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Two-day water shutdown in Polokwane: What you need to know
Two-day water shutdown in Polokwane: What you need to know POLOKWANE – Residents in certain areas of Polokwane should take note of a temporary shutdown of the Dap Naudé pipeline from Wednesday (August 13) to Thursday (August 14) that will affect water supply. The Polokwane Municipality says the planned interruption is necessary to connect a recently repaired section of the pipeline at the river crossing before the Dalmada Water Treatment Plant. The municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala said the shutdown will affect areas supplied by the Potgieter Reservoir that includes: Bendor The City Westenburg Nirvana Ladanna. 'To minimise inconvenience, the municipality has made arrangements to prioritise the filling of the Potgieter Reservoir before the shutdown and deploy water tankers to affected areas where necessary,' Selala said. He added that affected residents should use water sparingly and make necessary preparations in advance. 'For updates and inquiries please contact the Water and Sanitation Call Centre on 015 290 2376, report issues via the MyPolokwane Citizen App, or send a WhatsApp text to 068 290 8736.'
The Citizen
30-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Outa urges probe into R56 million Polokwane tender scandal
Polokwane municipality has rejected corruption allegations as politically motivated, claiming the tender processes were lawful. The non-profit civil rights group, Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa), has called on relevant authorities to investigate allegations of more than R50 million worth of corruption involving the Polokwane mayor and municipal manager. Outa CEO Wayne Duvenage was reacting to allegations that mayor John Mpe and municipal manager Thuso Nemugumoni awarded a R56.3 million tender to a company linked to a Zimbabwean national believed to be close to them. Whistle-blower report prompts Outa's call for action The allegation surfaced recently after the matter was reported by local media and shared on social media. 'These allegations should be investigated, more so if the anonymous whistle-blower provides sufficient evidence/facts about the allegations,' Duvenage said. 'The extent of corruption and patronage in municipalities is outrageous. All oversight entities and the criminal justice system must act with urgency to assess the facts, suspend the individuals concerned and ensure accountability and if necessary, criminal charges are applied soonest.' Opposition reveals scale of irregular contracts DA councillor Jacques Joubert said the allegations contained in the documents 'show that there were irregularities with about 28 foreign-owned companies awarded tenders amounting to more than R740 million. 'The spreadsheets outline bid numbers and contract values mostly awarded between 2022 and 2023,' said Joubert. ALSO READ: DA wants Joburg tenders linked to Kenny Kunene investigated 'According to the documents, the tenders were given to people with proximity to the high-level officials. Where there is smoke, there is often fire. Mayor urged to support independent investigation 'The outcome of the investigations that we want on the matter should be made public to ensure full transparency and accountability. If the mayor and city manager indeed feel they have nothing to hide, they should welcome any independent investigation into the matter. 'I understand the mayor has ambitions to become premier, so he would need to tackle this cloud over his name.' Polokwane municipality dismisses allegations Municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala denied the allegations and said it was a smear campaign aimed at discrediting the two officials. Selala defended the mayor and municipal manager. 'We would like to address the recent defamatory claims circulating on digital platforms. It is both necessary and urgent to clarify the facts and expose the political motives behind a series of orchestrated attacks aimed at undermining the integrity of the municipality and its leadership. Officials blame political motives and selective outrage 'The people of Polokwane deserve the truth, not sensationalised fiction designed to destabilise the municipality that is focused on service delivery, clean governance and inclusive development,' Selala said. 'We have noted with concern, contempt and disappointment the continued circulation of unfounded, malicious and misleading allegations on anonymous online platforms. ALSO READ: Man sentenced for defrauding Amtola Water Board in tender scam 'These claims attempt to falsely implicate the mayor and manager and we reject these allegations as baseless, defamatory and politically motivated.' Selala said the matter was an orchestrated smear campaign and politically motivated. 'These attacks often resurface around politically significant periods and are part of a broader agenda by individuals and factions that have lost democratic influence.' He added that the municipality did business with more than 100 companies and service providers across diverse categories of work. It was concerning and suspicious that only a select few were being singled out. 'Why is Polokwane municipality being singled out?' 'It is also important to note that many of the companies listed in recent allegations have been awarded contracts through lawful, competitive bidding processes, before the appointments of both the mayor and municipal manager.' He said that some of the accused companies and others had ongoing relationships with the municipality as far back as 2017, 2018 and 2020 – well before the current leadership team. 'Why is Polokwane municipality being singled out? The answer lies not in procurement irregularities – of which there are none – but in an intensifying campaign of targeted misinformation.' NOW READ: Gauteng health maintains court 'misinterpreted law in waste tender matter
The Citizen
23-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
VIDEO: Nelson Mandela Drive roadworks cause DIY traffic rules
POLOKWANE – Frustration is boiling over the ongoing roadworks on Nelson Mandela Drive as it has not only caused major congestion in surrounding areas, but also a rise in reckless driving and disregard for the rules of the road. With little to no visibility of traffic officials to manage the chaos, motorists have reported to the Polokwane Review-Observer that drivers have turned alternative routes into a free for all. The project, which began last Wednesday has led to many drivers having to divert through alternative routes, causing congestion in suburbs like Ladanna, Seshego, the Extensions and Westenburg. They claim these roads are now also congested and unsafe, with tensions running high during peak traffic. A video, taken by Observer journalist Koketso Sekhwela this morning in Fluoorspar Street, shows two motorists in a bakkie and a taxi, clearly violating the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 by driving on a pathway to avoid congestion. Under the act, it is generally prohibited to drive on pavements and states that vehicles should be driven on designated roadways and pavements are reserved for pedestrian traffic. Roadworks causing a bigger traffic issue According to the spokesperson of the Polokwane Municiaplity, Thipa Selala, the project involves the rehabilitation of base layer and resurfacing of the road. 'The project also includes maintenance of the existing stormwater infrastructure to improve drainage and extend the lifespan of the road,' Selala told the Review-Observer. Read more: Roadworks to continue on Nelson Mandela Drive until September Despite Polokwane Traffic Officials visible on key routes, motorists said there is no sight of pointsmen at key intersections. When asked how the municipality is managing traffic flow, Selala said the municipality has placed temporary traffic signage at key points to guide motorists around the construction area. 'In addition, municipal traffic control officers are deployed at critical intersections to assist with traffic flow, especially during peak hours. Additional traffic personnel may be deployed as needed based on traffic volume and movement patterns,' he said. Public notices were issued through the Polokwane Municipality Facebook and X pages, the municipal WhatsApp channel, ward councillors and the Municipal Public Participation Unit to inform residents of the road closure and expected disruptions. TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ALERT From 16 July (17h00) to 16 Sept (17h00), lanes on Nelson Mandela Dr (Rissik–Vermikuliet) will be partially closed for maintenance. Please use alternative routes & plan ahead. Log queries via MyPolokwane Citizen App or call 015 290 2000. End — Polokwane Municipality (@PolokwaneMuni) July 16, 2025 Selala said they continue to engage directly with key stakeholders, including nearby businesses, schools and the taxi associations, to address concerns and provide relevant updates. To meet the project completion target of September, the appointed contractor has committed to deploying additional resources on site which includes extended working hours and weekend operations to ensure the work progresses efficiently and on schedule. 'Motorists are encouraged to make use of alternative routes through the Ladine area and other clearly marked detours indicated on site. Temporary signage has been installed to assist with navigation and reduce congestion in the affected area. We appreciates the public's patience and cooperation as we work to deliver safer, more durable road infrastructure for all,' he concluded. Selala was also asked to clarify what consequences, if any, are in place for motorists who violate traffic rules. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Polokwane's ageing roads to blame for recurring potholes, says muni
POLOKWANE – The Polokwane Municipality says it is aware of the mounting frustration over the state of the city's roads and has assured residents that pothole repairs are part of a continuous maintenance programme currently being implemented across affected areas. Polokwane's streets are riddled with potholes, with areas once free of road damage, now barely drivable. Residents have complained about the deteriorating state of roads in the city, citing the danger it poses to motorists and other road users. Earlier this year, the municipality confirmed it depleted all funds available for the remainder of the then financial year to repair potholes, but municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala confirmed that road patching teams are on the ground daily, working systematically to restore safer road surfaces. Read more: Polokwane's pothole crisis worsens as repair budget runs dry In response to questions from the Polokwane Review-Observer, Selala said the turnaround time for reported potholes generally ranges between 48 and 120 hours, depending on the size of the pothole and the classification of the road. Urgent cases are prioritised to minimise risk to motorists. However, he acknowledged that recurring potholes, especially in certain areas, are often the result of roads that have reached the end of their design lifespan. 'In those cases, patching is only a temporary fix and full road rehabilitation is required, a process that is resource-intensive and forms part of the City's broader infrastructure upgrade plans,' he said. In May, the Polokwane Observer reported that 10 Pothole claims totaling R207k were filed against the Polokwane Municipality. Read more: 10 Pothole claims totaling R207k filed against Polokwane Municipality The municipality further noted that while the challenges are significant, steady progress is being made and public cooperation remains key. 'We understand the public's frustration and we share the same commitment to improving our road conditions. The pothole problem is being tackled head-on and with sustained effort and investment, it will become a thing of the past.' Residents are encouraged to report potholes and monitor the status of repairs via the MyPolokwane Citizen App, which the city says helps with faster response and better coordination. You might also want to read: Hit a pothole? This is how you can claim for damage to your vehicle At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
30-05-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
Cracked pipe causes water disruption in parts of Polokwane
'Technical teams have been dispatched to carry out repairs, although there is no confirmed timeline for when the issue will be resolved,' says Selala. The affected areas include: Fauna Park Penina Park Ivydale Ivy Park Extension 34 Surrounding suburbs To assist residents during this period, water tankers have been deployed to provide temporary relief. Residents seeking further information or wishing to report issues can contact the Water and Sanitation Call Centre at 015 290 2376, WhatsApp 068 290 8736, or use the MyPolokwane Citizen App.
