Residents of Welverdiend are concerned that the Merafong City Local Municipality is again neglecting the maintenance of the Frikkie van der Merwe electrical substation.

This follows that fact that the municipality has again rescheduled important work at the substation. The commissioning of a new 5 MVA transformer at the substation was supposed to take place on Thursday, January 29, but was rescheduled due to heavy rain.

The municipality has not yet announced when the work would be done. It is the second time that this work has been rescheduled. Welverdiend and surrounding areas have suffered crippling electrical outages during the past years due to problems at the substation.

A representative of the Welverdiend residents, Thabo Sekano, expressed their concern over the work that is not being done.

“We, the residents of Welverdiend, raise our concern regarding the rescheduled commissioning and maintenance of the 5 MVA transformer at Frikkie Substation. Initially planned for 20 January, this work has now been postponed to Thursday, 29 January. While we recognize the importance of maintaining infrastructure, this must not be used as a justification to switch off the 10 MVA transformer, which is currently the only source of electricity for our community.

Since 2022, Welverdiend has endured ongoing electricity challenges following the development of new RDP houses and the Elijah Barayi Hostel. Despite repeated consultations with the Merafong City Local Municipality (MCLM) and the formal submission of a petition to the Executive Mayor, our pleas have not been adequately addressed. The failure to resolve these issues has left our community vulnerable and frustrated.

Electricity supply is not a luxury but a necessity. We all rely on power for daily living, and some members of our community depend on electricity for critical health‑related equipment. Any disruption to the 10 MVA transformer would directly compromise our wellbeing and safety.

We therefore call upon MCLM and all responsible authorities to ensure:

– The 10 MVA transformer remains operational during the commissioning of the 5 MVA transformer.

– Transparent communication with the community regarding timelines, risks, and contingency measures.

– Immediate prioritization of long‑term solutions to meet the growing electricity demand in Welverdiend.

Our community has already suffered for years due to inadequate planning and delayed interventions. We urge the authorities to act with urgency, accountability, and compassion, ensuring that the rights and dignity of Welverdiend residents are respected, Sekano complains.