Polokwane — National and provincial officials will this weekend formally hand over three completed water supply projects to local municipalities in Limpopo, a move the Department of Water and Sanitation says will improve drinking water access for thousands of households.
High-profile handovers across three municipalities
Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina and Deputy Minister David Mahlobo, together with Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba, are leading a three-day programme to transfer finished water infrastructure to local authorities, according to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and SANews reporting.
The programme begins on 4 September 2026 with the official handover of the new Seshego Water Treatment Works (WTW) to Polokwane Local Municipality Executive Mayor John Mpe. The plant was delivered through the Department’s Regional and Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) at a cost of more than R200 million, the department said.
On 5 September the delegation will hand over the Jakkalskei Water Supply Scheme to Mogalakwena Local Municipality Executive Mayor Ngoako Taueatsoala. The scheme incorporates the Kroomkloof WTW, high-lift pump stations, a 3.5-million-litre reservoir capacity, borehole development and the refurbishment of 26 community reservoirs.
“The scheme will improve reliable water supply to over 42 000 households of Mokopane,” the department said.
The programme concludes on 6 September with Majodina handing over two water supply schemes in the Senwabarwana area of what the department identified as Blougerg Local Municipality. The schemes in the Maokeng and Dilaeneng townships were funded through DWS’s Water Supply and Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) and have a combined value of R23 million, the department reported. They are expected to benefit more than 800 households.
What the projects deliver locally
The DWS said these handovers form part of government’s ongoing efforts to address water challenges and to ensure communities have access to safe, reliable and sustainable drinking water. The three schemes target a mix of bulk supply, treatment and local reticulation improvements.
- Seshego WTW — new treatment capacity to support Polokwane and surrounding areas.
- Jakkalskei scheme — bulk scheme for Mokopane with reservoir and pump infrastructure.
- Senwabarwana schemes — smaller, targeted works to restore domestic supply to township areas.
Local government leaders will take operational responsibility for the assets after handover, with the DWS emphasising that effective municipal management is essential to translate infrastructure investment into reliable daily supply for households.
| Project | Funding source | Reported value | Reported beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seshego WTW (Polokwane) | RBIG | More than R200 million | Communities of Seshego and surrounding areas |
| Jakkalskei Water Supply Scheme (Mogalakwena) | RBIG (components) | Not specified | Over 42 000 households in Mokopane |
| Two schemes (Senwabarwana, Blougerg) | WSIG | R23 million | More than 800 households |
Why this matters for residents
Water projects of this nature are intended to do more than increase volumes; they aim to improve water quality, reduce interruptions and lower the frequency of emergency interventions. For households in township areas and smaller towns, reliable supply affects daily living, health outcomes and local economic activity.
Community members and municipal officials will be watching closely after the handovers. While infrastructure ownership will move to the municipalities, the DWS remains responsible for oversight of grant-funded projects and for assisting with technical support where needed, the department said.
Officials did not publish detailed maintenance or operations plans in the handover notice; residents and ratepayers seeking more information were encouraged to contact their municipal offices for timelines on water scheduling, quality monitoring and any disruptions that may occur during the final commissioning phases.
The handovers form part of a larger national programme of water infrastructure investment, delivered through grant mechanisms such as RBIG and WSIG, which the Department of Water and Sanitation continues to implement across provinces, according to SANews reporting.
— Mpho Netshimbupfe, Limpopo Correspondent (Polokwane)
