The DA in the CoE has written to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), demanding action against the city for failing to ensure a reliable electricity supply in Ward 25.

Last week, Pomona, Bredell and surrounding suburbs were left without power for several days, with residents describing the outages as recurring and unacceptable.

On November 4, a DA delegation met with the office of the mayor and senior city officials, demanding that the electricity be immediately restored.

ALSO READ: Residents protest over ongoing Kempton Park power outage

Despite assurances, the restoration estimate went unmet.

Frustration among residents boiled over, with members of the Power to Us community action group leading a protest on November 5.

Group representative Andre Jansen said the decision came after residents were “sent from pillar to post” and had gone six days without power.

“We want the city to know that we are paying citizens. We pay for services we hardly ever get,” said Jansen.

“We’ve exhausted all channels, including the mayor’s office,” he said.

Residents said the outage had taken a serious toll on families and businesses.

Wilmien Pretorius, a single mother, described the situation as heartbreaking, “I bought groceries for the month, and all the meat went off.

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We lost everything. How do I tell my children there’s no food?” Pretorius said, adding that her home security systems failed, leaving her feeling vulnerable.

Other residents reported similar hardships.

Amelia Sutherland said the continued lack of communication and accountability from the municipality had left families “grappling with unseen losses and unwelcome disruption”, while emphasising that ward councillors are not responsible for technical repairs.
Wendy Clausen, a Pomona resident of 22 years, called the situation “probably the worst communicated outage” she had experienced.

Annelie Smith, coping with a recent bereavement, said she lost over R7 000 worth of groceries.

Businesses have also suffered, with owners spending thousands daily on generators to keep operating.

Rodney Gregory described the city’s damages-claim process as “labourious and not user friendly”.

The city confirmed on November 6 that power to the area was fully restored. Spokesperson Zweli Dlamini stated that vandalism to electrical infrastructure was responsible for several days of outages.

“City technicians worked to complete repairs and restore supply to all affected areas in Kempton Park.”

The DA has called on Nersa to investigate the root causes of the outages and ensure corrective measures are implemented without delay.

Nersa media relations officer, Poppie Mahlangu, confirmed receiving an enquiry on the matter by the Kempton Express.

Sidebar
Timeline of Ward 25 power outage
• October 31 – Initial outage hits Pomona, Bredell and Glen Marais due to technical faults;
• November 1 and 2 – Technicians work to restore power; residents report spoilt food, disrupted study and security concerns;
• November 3 – Estimated restoration time of midnight issued;
• November 4 – DA meets mayor’s office; restoration estimate revised to 13:00; outages persist;
• November 5 – Residents plan protest as Power to Us mobilises;
• November 5 – Technicians begin the final testing phase of restoration;
• November 6 – Power fully restored to all affected areas;
• November 6 – Nersa asked to launch an investigation into the persistent outages.