Latest news with #ThipaSelala
The Citizen
6 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
21-07-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
More 48-hour water shutdowns planned for Polokwane
POLOKWANE – Residents in the city are encouraged to prepare ahead of time for a series of planned water shutdowns as part of Phase 2 of Lepelle Northern Water's (LNW) upgrade and commissioning programme. LNW said the shutdowns, which will affect key pumping stations, are necessary to bring new and improved pump stations into operation. This, they said, is aimed at enhancing the reliability, efficiency and overall performance of their water supply systems in the long term. The upcoming planned shutdowns follow the recent 48-hour shutdown of the Olifantspoort Scheme in July, which impacted water supply across Polokwane, Seshego and other areas. The shutdowns are scheduled as follows: July 23-24: Olifantspoort Scheme – Pump Station 2 and Pump Station 3 (48 hours). August 6-7: Ebenezer Scheme – High Lift Pump Station (48 hours). August 20-21: Olifantspoort Scheme – Pump Station 1 and Pump Station 2 (48 hours). Shorter shutdowns (less than 48 hours) are anticipated in August and September and will be announced in due course. Meanwhile, the Polokwane Municipality warns that areas supplied by the affected schemes may experience low water pressure or a temporary supply interruption during the shutdowns. 'Residents are kindly urged to use water sparingly and to store sufficient water in advance for essential use,' said Thipa Selala (Polokwane Municipality spokesperson). 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
26-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Polokwane tariff increases effective July 1 – Here's what you'll pay
POLOKWANE – Residents and businesses in Polokwane are reminded that the 2025/26 municipal tariff adjustments will take effect from July 1, with increases implemented across water, electricity, rates, and other essential services. According to the municipality, the adjustments align with national regulatory frameworks and cost increases from bulk suppliers, namely Eskom for electricity and Lepelle Northern Water for water. The approved increases are as follows: Water: Block tariff increase of 10.2% to 11.2% , depending on usage. Electricity: 11.32% increase, as guided by NERSA. Refuse removal, sewer, and other municipal services: 6% increase. Rates and taxes: 3% increase for residential, agricultural, public benefit, and public infrastructure properties 6% increase for business, industrial, mining, and non-permitted land uses The Polokwane Mayor, John Mpe, said the municipality will continue to exercise financial responsibility by not exceeding increases imposed by bulk suppliers. To support vulnerable residents, the municipality will continue its indigent support programme, which includes: 6 kl of free water 100 kWh of free electricity 100% subsidy on sewer and refuse services Full property rate rebate Municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala said applications for indigent support are open at the Civic Centre and all cluster offices. 'To qualify, applicants must be South African citizens aged 18 or older, earning a combined household income below R5 740 per month,' he said. Required documents include: Copy of ID Proof of income Bank statement (if applicable) Marriage or death certificate (if applicable) For more information, contact the municipal Customer Care Centre on 015 290 2000 or visit At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
