Former ANC MP threatens legal action over Polokwane water contamination

Former ANC MP Boy Mamobolo has threatened to take legal action against Polokwane Municipality over water contamination in the province. 

This is after he received complaints from residents who alleged that they had been experiencing severe stomach illness, including persistent diarrhoea, after consuming tap water. 

Mamabolo, who resigned from the ANC in September 2025, said the situation was dire, as more residents fell sick, while others allegedly lost their lives. 

He said his children even fell sick. 

This comes after the EFF in Limpopo also threatened to take the provincial government to court, alleging that there is a gastroenteritis outbreak in Polokwane. 

The party said the water system in the area has been contaminated with a virus associated with gastroenteritis. 

“Many people had to consult with their doctors. I also had to take my kids to the doctor, and a friend of mine also sent me a picture after he was admitted to the hospital,” Mamabolo said. 

He stated that, as a result, he would seek a legal opinion and find out if there is a possibility of taking legal action against the municipality. 

“The municipality should pay everyone who went to the doctor. Everyone who suffered should be paid,” he said, adding that those who are affected should provide evidence and doctors’ notes. 

“It’s about time we deal with this because people are losing their lives due to contaminated water in this municipality.”

On Tuesday, Polokwane Municipality spokesperson Thipa Selela told Independent Media that the municipality was aware of the allegations and public concerns surrounding the possible link between water quality and incidences of diarrhoea in certain areas. 

Selela added that following the emergence of these concerns, the municipality immediately conducted its own water quality sampling and testing in the alleged affected areas.

“As a result, precautionary measures were activated without delay. In parallel, samples have been submitted to a private, independent laboratory for further analysis to ensure objectivity and to validate findings by the municipality.

“The municipality is currently awaiting the outcome of these independent test results, which will be communicated to the public once finalised,” he said.

Selela added that in the meantime, the municipality has intensified the cleansing, flushing, and continuous monitoring of the alleged feeders and reservoirs.

“Temporary relief measures have also been implemented where necessary, while technical teams remain on the ground to stabilise and safeguard the water supply system. The municipality will keep residents and the media informed as more information becomes available.” 

On the other hand, the Department of Water and Sanitation, through Lepelle Northern Water (LNW), said recent quality results indicate no microbial contamination in the water over the past several months.

“LNW supplies bulk potable water to the City of Polokwane from two water treatment plants, namely Olifantspoort and Ebenezer. The treated water is thereafter distributed to various areas by the City of Polokwane Municipality. Water produced at both treatment plants is fully compliant with SANS 241 drinking water quality standards, which confirms that the water supplied by LNW is safe and fit for human consumption,” said spokesperson Joe Makhafola. 

However, Tshepi Mashiane, a resident in Polokwane, said her family was affected. 

“It started with my child and grandmother. And I started to take it seriously when everyone in the house complained about the same,” she said. 

Mashiane said that even though her brother bought medication, nothing has changed.

“This was very bad. I even wanted to go to the hospital because I thought I would die, but I survived,” she said. 

Another resident, Lesident Manko, said she had diarrhoea and also experienced abdominal pain, adding that the doctor told her that this was due to water contamination. 

She said the doctor also told her that many people were affected. 

“I am feeling much better since I went to the doctor because he gave me some tablets for diarrhoea,” she said. 

Meanwhile, Mamabolo said that more than 500 people confirmed that they have suffered from contaminated water.  

manyane.manyane@inl.co.za