Residents in Ermelo have faced repeated electricity interruptions in recent weeks following a lightning strike on the town’s main 88kV substation on October 28, and the theft of a medium-voltage supply cable in Wesselton on November 14, which left Ext 6, Thambo Village, and Khayelihle without power.

Many households and industrial areas were left without electricity for days, causing widespread frustration.

Mandla Zwane, spokesperson for Msukaligwa Municipality, confirmed that Eskom reduced the Notified Maximum Demand (NMD) at the substation on November 11 without prior notice, forcing immediate load management measures.

The situation has also prompted community protests over ongoing electricity and water supply problems, raising questions about municipal planning, infrastructure capacity, and financial obligations to Eskom and Rand Water.

The situation has raised several critical questions:

• Are all cable theft incidents officially reported to SAPS?
• Is the municipality approving new developments despite the power grid’s limited capacity?
• And is electricity supply being throttled due to outstanding municipal debt to Eskom?

Read the full article in this week’s print edition of the Highvelder.