PLMProjectStudyfortheTreasuryViewsandRecommendations.docVIP

  Executive summary Polokwane Local Municipality (PLM) comprises of a total area of +/- 377 578.99 hectares (ha) and is located in the central part of the Limpopo Province. The municipality is located within the Capricorn District Municipality and borders the municipalities of Molemolle, Greater Tzaneen, Lepelle-Nkumpi, Mogalakwena and Aganang. The Statistics South Africa Census of 2011 estimated the total population size of Polokwane to be 628 999 with 178 001 households Polokwane Municipality has the provincial growth point which functions as a first order settlement. However, the geographical area of Polokwane Municipality is predominantly rural including considerable land under traditional authority. Polokwane has a large portion of the population living in rural or peri-urban areas, which for most part is unplanned and poorly serviced. All spatial planning must take cognizance of the population and contribute to the improvement of their living conditions. Polokwane Municipality is a Water Service Authority (WSA) and also a Water Service Provider (WSP). Every Water Service Authority has a duty to all customers or potential customers in its area of jurisdiction to progressively ensure efficient, affordable, economical and sustainable access to Water Services [Water Services Act of 1997 Section 11]. Thus, a Water Service Authority has the duty to provide water services with the focus on: Ensure, Efficient, Affordable, Economical and Sustainable deliverables. The Municipality distributes electricity in the City/Seshego cluster while Eskom is the service provider in the rest of the Municipal area. 99% of dwellings in the City/Seshego cluster are supplied with electricity. Apart from main roads, street lighting is of reasonable standard. PLM has a combination of prepaid and post paid customers of which some of the electricity and water losses be attributed to. In essence both systems have challenges. The conventional/post paid system of providing cust