Lesetja Malope

Millions of litres of water literally went down the drain when contractors working on the African National Congress provincial office in Biccard Street apparently tampered with water pipes on Friday. Water gushed from a burst pipe for almost the entire day and flooded nearby business premises before the municipality finally managed to stop it.

Polokwane Municipality’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Phuti Lekganyane said the huge water loss was as an accident caused by the construction activities. "It was an accident caused by the construction in Biccard Street, but we managed to stop the loss unfortunately after already losing gallons of water," he said.

A source closer to the matter revealed that the municipality has also neglected a nearby water leak for over six months despite it being reported on numerous occasions.

On Friday some of the businesses had to close shop for the day as it was too risky to operating electric appliances in water flooded premises.

In another incident the municipality also lost a lot of water last week when a pipe burst in Spoorweg Street, Ladanna. The leakage also continued unattended for hours.