Permanent delegates to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) from Limpopo, together with their provincial counterparts, conducted an oversight visit to key service delivery projects in the Mopani District Municipality on Wednesday, as part of a follow-up to issues identified during the 2025 Provincial Week programme.
The oversight visit focused on the implementation of recommendations previously made by the delegation, with particular attention to water infrastructure and health services.
At the Olifantshook Pump, the delegation found that the booster pump from Middle Letaba requires an electricity connection from Eskom before it can become operational. The delegation directed the Mopani District Municipality to report by Friday, 21 August 2026, on engagements undertaken with Eskom to resolve the outstanding electricity connection.
The delegation also visited the Sekgosese Ground Water Scheme in Thakgale Village, where it found that the project has been completed and is supplying water to residents. The project is reported to be 100% complete, marking progress in addressing water provision in the community.
At Kgapane Hospital, the delegation noted progress in the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer, in line with a previous recommendation. However, the hospital continues to face significant staffing challenges, with a vacancy rate of more than 40%.
The delegation also raised serious concerns regarding the hospital’s water reticulation project, which was scheduled for completion at the end of March 2026 but remains incomplete. In light of the missed completion date, the delegation recommended that the contract for the water reticulation project be terminated with immediate effect.
The Sefofotse Groundwater Scheme was another major focus of the oversight visit. The project, which commenced in 2018 and was originally expected to be completed in 2019, remains stalled. Approximately R49 million of the R51 million project budget has already been spent. Following an earlier recommendation by the delegation in 2025, the Mopani District Municipality is now in the process of appointing a new contractor to complete the outstanding work.
The new contractor will be expected to complete the elevated steel tank and connect the borehole, which requires re-equipping. The outstanding work is expected to be completed by the end of February 2027.
The delegation was informed that funding remains available for the completion of the project, with approximately R6 million required to bring the scheme to full completion.
The oversight visit forms part of NCOP’s ongoing responsibility to monitor the implementation of government programmes and ensure that recommendations arising from previous Provincial Week programme are acted upon. The delegation emphasised the need for responsible authorities to address outstanding challenges within agreed timeframes, particularly where delays directly affect communities’ access to basic services such as water and healthcare.
The follow-up oversight demonstrates the NCOP’s continued commitment to ensuring that issues raised during Provincial Week translate into concrete action and improved service delivery for the people of Limpopo.
Justice Molafo
20 August 2026
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