The University of Limpopo has delayed the final exams at the end of the year because there is a lack of water.
(The Post News)- Due to the serious water shortages affecting Polokwane and nearby regions, the University of Limpopo has postponed its final exams. The town depends on water from the Polokwane Municipality and Lepelle Northern Water but has experienced continuous interruptions from damaged infrastructure, power outages at water treatment plants, and maintenance delays, resulting in residents going without regular water supply for weeks.
During a media briefing, Mayor John Mpe of Polokwane expressed his dissatisfaction about the university’s decision to not consult the municipality beforehand. Victor Kgomoeswana, the university’s representative, justified the decision by pointing out the difficult living conditions on campus, with around 7,000 students in residence enduring unhygienic conditions like toilets not functioning and restricted bathing facilities.
In order to improve the situation, the university provided portable toilets and water deliveries, while local authorities started distributing water tanks to the impacted areas. Municipal sources report that the Olifantspoort and Ebenezer water lines, responsible for supplying a significant portion of Polokwane, have faced numerous service interruptions caused by maintenance difficulties and power outages affecting the operations of crucial water facilities.
The EFF Student Command (EFFSC) organized a protest at the municipal offices to support affected students, criticizing the perceived lack of urgency and inefficiency in dealing with the water crisis. They contended that lack of water is a fundamental human rights concern and called for urgent measures to guarantee sustainable water availability for both the community and students.
Protests and petitions calling for municipal accountability have increased due to the worsening water crisis in Polokwane, sparking community frustration. In reaction, the local government has pledged to speed up infrastructure repairs and fix ongoing service disruptions to reinstate water access to all impacted regions.
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